NKoreans risking execution to smuggle in popular SKorean movies and soap operas: think tankSEOUL, South Korea — Teams of North Korean agents known as “109 squads” are sweeping through border towns at night, arresting smugglers and confiscating banned South Korean videos and music amid concerns about the popularity of soap operas from Seoul, a think tank said Thursday. NKoreans are smuggling in SKorean soap operas despite risk of public execution: think tankSEOUL, South Korea — North Koreans are hungry for movies and soap operas from South Korea and are smuggling them into the reclusive country at a rapid rate — even at the risk of public execution, a Seoul think tank said Thursday. Officials say Obama administration largely wins WTO dispute with China over CDs, DVDs, booksGENEVA — The U.S. has largely prevailed in a trade dispute with China over restrictions on the sale there of American CDs, DVDs, books and computer software, two officials familiar with the ruling have told The Associated Press. LA County leaders vote in support of Wagner opera festivalLOS ANGELES — County supervisors have voted to support the Los Angeles Opera’s planned festival next year celebrating Wagner’s epic “Ring” cycle despite one supervisor’s protest over the composer’s anti-Semitic views. John McCain and Republican Party apologize to Jackson Browne over song’s use, settle lawsuit
France may introduce a bill to ban pirate downloaders from internet
Madonna visits victims of accident that killed 2 and injured 8 building French concert stageMARSEILLES, France — Madonna has visited some of the eight workers who were injured in an accident in which two more were killed while assembling a music stage for the singer in the French port of Marseilles. Gay bashing thrives in Jamaica, homosexuality seen as sinKINGSTON, Jamaica — Even now, about three years after a near-fatal gay bashing, Sherman gets jittery at dusk. On bad days, his blood quickens, his eyes dart, and he seeks refuge indoors. Madonna to visit victims that killed 2 and injured 8 while building French concert stageMARSEILLES, France — Madonna is expected to visit some of the eight workers who were injured in an accident in which two workers were killed while assembling a music stage for the singer in the French port of Marseilles. Mystery still surrounds couple slain during break-in at their home near PensacolaPENSACOLA, Fla. — When the attorney for a slain Florida couple’s family disclosed the contents of a safe stolen from their home, she said she wanted to put to rest intense speculation and rumors. Slain Pensacola couple is buried; mystery continues with ‘humdinger’ of storyPENSACOLA, Fla. — He was a 66-year-old entrepreneur who dabbled in used cars, boats and the adult entertainment industry before finally hitting it big. She was a 43-year-old country music lover who fed the homeless and was devoted to her MySpace page. British conductor Edward Downes and dancer wife end lives hand-in-hand at Swiss suicide clinicLONDON — He spent his life conducting world-renowned orchestras, but was almost blind and growing deaf — the music he loved increasingly out of reach. His wife of 54 years had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. So Edward and Joan Downes decided to die together. LA mayor: City will not ask third parties to pay $1.4 million Michael Jackson memorial tabLOS ANGELES — Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is trying to quell the escalating debate over who should pick up the estimated $1.4 million tab for police, traffic control and other services related to Michael Jackson’s memorial service. Son becomes pastor of NY church once run by gospel singer Timothy Wright, who died after crashNEW YORK — Gospel singer Timothy Wright’s son has been installed as pastor of his late father’s New York City church. Cuba tour looks promising after NY Philharmonic’s weekend visit to HavanaHAVANA — Prospects for Cuban performances by the New York Philharmonic look promising following a tour of concert halls and meetings with music officials on the island, orchestra president Zarin Mehta said Sunday. Exhausted by conflict, Palestinians seek diversion in movies, concerts, shoppingRAMALLAH, West Bank — Middle-class matrons shop for imported furniture in a marble-and-glass emporium. A new movie house is screening “Transformers.” Teens bop to a Danish hip-hop band performing on their high school basketball court. Singers, dancers lead thousands in celebrating Michael Jackson’s life in pop icon’s hometownGARY, Ind. — This gritty steel-making city where Michael Jackson got his start playing on street corners with his brothers and competing in talent shows said goodbye to the King of Pop with a show that featured experienced homegrown talent, as well as youngsters who hope to follow in his footsteps. Singers, dancers lead thousands in celebrating Michael Jackson’s life in his hometownGARY, Ind. — Michael Jackson’s boyhood hometown bade farewell to the King of Pop on Friday with a celebration of his life and music. Tax Man in the Mirror: King of Pop’s estate could owe tens of millions to IRSNEW YORK — The Tax Man is in the mirror for the estate of the late King of Pop. Mayor: Jackson’s father to attend memorial in family’s hometown of Gary, Ind.GARY, Ind. — The mayor of Gary, Ind. says Michael Jackson’s father will attend a memorial service for the pop icon in the family’s hometown. German exhibit examines Nazi relationship to Bach and Mendelssohn in Third ReichEISENACH, Germany — Richard Wagner is the classical composer most associated with the Nazis, but Johann Sebastian Bach was the one the party dubbed “the most German of Germans” and whose music was played at rallies to stir up nationalist zeal. Paris Hilton trial over film promotion lawsuit rooted in $300 million Ponzi schemeMIAMI — In an odd intersection of showbiz and securities fraud, proving a claim that Paris Hilton was a lousy pitchwoman would benefit investors jilted by a Ponzi scheme she had no part in. Michael Jackson’s dermatologist says he never gave star powerful sedatives to useLOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson’s dermatologist said he had sedated the pop star in the past for painful medical procedures but had never given him dangerous sedatives like Propofol to use. Michael Jackson’s Doctor: He danced in my office 3 days before his death
Michael Jackson likely won’t fade from limelight soon despite end of memorial for King of PopLOS ANGELES — The public mourning of Michael Jackson may be done, but the saga that was his personal life is far from over. Despite Michael Jackson memorial over, King of Pop likely won’t fade from limelight soonLOS ANGELES — The public mourning of Michael Jackson may be done, but the saga that was his personal life is far from over. Michael Jackson _ White House guest now in the culture warsNEW YORK — Michael Jackson was once so safe that presidents from both parties welcomed him to the White House. In death, after a scandal-filled decline, he is the latest target in the cultural war. Michael Jackson Memorial: Full story
Michael Jackson’s star-studded public memorial begins with a spiritual tone in downtown LALOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson’s public memorial, watched by millions around the world, struck a tone more spiritual than spectacular Tuesday, opening with a church choir serenading his golden casket and continuing with somber speeches and gospel-themed musical performances. Michael Jackson’s golden casket brought to LA public memorial siteLOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson’s golden casket has arrived at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles for a public memorial service. |
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PARIS — Lawmakers in France’s lower house of parliament are to start debate Tuesday on a new version of a bill aimed at cracking down on online piracy by cutting the Internet connections of those who illegally download movies and music. An earlier version of the bill was found to be unconstitutional. Legislators in the National Assembly are to debate the amended bill through Friday, but decided not to take a vote on it until they return from summer recess in September.
Doc: Jackson danced in office days before death
LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson was eulogized in words and song Tuesday by an all-star list of musicians, athletes and other celebrities during a mournful ceremony in downtown Los Angeles, with the most poignant moment delivered by his sobbing 11-year-old daughter. “I just want to say ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine. And I just wanted to say I love him so much,” Paris-Michael Jackson said before almost collapsing in the arms of her aunt Janet Jackson.
