A Glimmer of Hope for Afghanistan’s Girls and Women by Anna Husarska
Afghan girls and women, increasingly denied their rights to education and employment, are often confined…
A Glimmer of Hope for Afghanistan’s Girls and Women by Anna Husarska
Afghan girls and women, increasingly denied their rights to education and employment, are often confined to their homes and isolated from anyone outside their immediate families. A new initiative seeks to combat hunger while also providing women with a vital space to socialize with peers. Source link
Twelve Questions for Philanthropists by Dambisa Moyo
At this time of year, many people feel the urge to give but grapple with how to make the most of their time and financial resources. For philanthropists, maximizing impact begins with a thoughtful examination of their goals, motivations, and guiding principles. LONDON – At this time of year, many people pause to reflect on…
Bob Dylan and the creative leap that transformed modern music
The Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” starring Timothée Chalamet, focuses on Dylan’s early 1960s transition from idiosyncratic singer of folk songs to internationally renowned singer-songwriter. As a music historian, I’ve always respected one decision of Dylan’s in particular – one that kicked off the young artist’s most turbulent and significant period of creative activity….
Twelve Questions for Philanthropists by Dambisa Moyo
At this time of year, many people feel the urge to give but grapple with how to make the most of their time and financial resources. For philanthropists, maximizing impact begins with a thoughtful examination of their goals, motivations, and guiding principles. LONDON – At this time of year, many people pause to reflect on…
The Enduring Appeal of Live Performance by Robert Skidelsky
Even though recorded performances provide some valuable benefits, most people prefer live events. That is because the audience is part of the production, and the two sides exchange energy and the gamut of human emotions in a way that would be impossible in any other setting. SALZBURG – While taking in the immensity of Anton…
Choice in Dying Comes to the UK by Peter Singer
The United Kingdom appears poised to join the growing list of countries that allow terminally ill patients to receive medical assistance in dying. Given the weakness of opponents’ arguments, and years of experience with similar legislation elsewhere, the UK’s move is well justified. MELBOURNE – Last month, members of the UK House of Commons were…
Trump’s Victory Over the Rule of Law by Antara Haldar
America’s legal order has met its match in President-elect Donald Trump, who has consistently escaped accountability for his crimes and now enjoys near-total impunity. If the rule of law is to survive, it must have a say about what is and is not just, rather than merely recognizing as valid whatever is legislated. Source link
Three Cheers for Namibia’s First Female President by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah won November’s presidential election in Namibia, becoming the first woman to lead her country. While this is an important milestone for Namibia, it is also a defining moment for Africa, which is increasingly ready to embrace the full potential of its people. MONROVIA – As Africa’s first democratically elected female president, I am…
Three Cheers for Namibia’s First Female President by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah won November’s presidential election in Namibia, becoming the first woman to lead her country. While this is an important milestone for Namibia, it is also a defining moment for Africa, which is increasingly ready to embrace the full potential of its people. MONROVIA – As Africa’s first democratically elected female president, I am…
Trump’s Victory Over the Rule of Law by Antara Haldar
America’s legal order has met its match in President-elect Donald Trump, who has consistently escaped accountability for his crimes and now enjoys near-total impunity. If the rule of law is to survive, it must have a say about what is and is not just, rather than merely recognizing as valid whatever is legislated. Source link
The chilling crime spree of The Order – and its lasting effect on today’s white supremacists
Justin Kurzels’ new historical crime drama, “The Order,” starring Jude Law and Nicholas Holt, is being described as a riveting “cat-and-mouse thriller.” But for criminologists like us, the white supremacist extremism that takes place in the film is not a nod to a distant past, but a reflection of beliefs and rhetoric that still percolate…
Choice in Dying Comes to the UK by Peter Singer
The United Kingdom appears poised to join the growing list of countries that allow terminally ill patients to receive medical assistance in dying. Given the weakness of opponents’ arguments, and years of experience with similar legislation elsewhere, the UK’s move is well justified. MELBOURNE – Last month, members of the UK House of Commons were…
Venice’s Beauty Curse by Edoardo Campanella
In Venice, the high demand for tourist-related services that guarantee large markups has crowded out the supply of services for residents. In the absence of a long-term revitalization strategy, the historic city will remain on the path to becoming a cultural mausoleum. MILAN – Countries with great wealth or natural abundance often fall victim to…
Protesting Ethically
When we are assessing protests in democratic societies, nonviolence is not the only criterion that must be weighed. The principle of proportionality can serve as a useful guide to the factors that protesters should consider, enabling us to defend the right to protest while also specifying protesters’ ethical responsibilities. Source link
The UN’s Summit of the Future Must Champion Universal Education by Gordon Brown
The quest for universal education is the defining social-policy challenge of our time. As the lives of tens of millions of children in low-income countries are upended by conflict and climate disasters, the international community must mobilize additional financing to ensure a quality education for all of them. EDINBURGH – As many as 500 million…
The Crisis of America’s Public Defenders by John J. Donohue & Eric A. Baldwin
While competent defense counsel is essential to the fair administration of criminal justice, public defenders in the United States often lack the time and resources to provide the quality representation their clients deserve. But a new model promises to revolutionize the system. STANFORD – The public-defender system in the United States is plagued by underfunding,…
Payal Kapadia’s ‘All We Imagine As Light’ disrupts popular narratives of Mumbai
Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s new film, All We Imagine as Light, won the prestigious Grand Prix award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in May. The film exhibits an Indianness that is distinctive from the one most frequently represented globally. Within mainstream Hindi cinema, India is often presented as a homogenous Hindu, upper-caste, middle-class Hindi-speaking…
Students go to hell and back in this course that looks at depictions of the damned throughout the ages
Uncommon Courses is an occasional series from The Conversation U.S. highlighting unconventional approaches to teaching. Title of course: “Road to Hell: The Apocalypse in Classical and Contemporary Forms” What prompted the idea for the course? When Meghan R. Henning, a scholar of early Christianity, completed her 2014 book on how the concept of hell evolved…
How the gladiators inspired evangelicals’ sense of persecution
With the release of Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II,” audiences will be plunged back into the cinematic excitement of the Roman amphitheater so vividly captured in its predecessor, “Gladiator.” Scott’s film will undoubtedly capture the thrills of this spectacle. But as someone who studies the Roman world, I think it’s worth remembering that its cultural legacy…
To some ancient Romans, gladiators were the embodiment of tyranny
Neither “Gladiator” nor its cinematic sequel is particularly concerned with historical fact. For one thing, the emperor Marcus Aurelius had no intention of restoring the republic. Gladiatorial contests were abhorrent displays of cruelty, but they didn’t always end in death. And the Romans didn’t sculpt bone-white statues; they painted them using an array of colors….
The Case for Press Freedom Just Got Stronger by Katrin Kivi
Journalists and news outlets around the world are under threat like never before. Fortunately, two new reports illustrating the economic, health, environmental, and security benefits of a free press could help policymakers and campaigners make an even stronger case for an independent media at home and abroad. TALLINN – The argument for a free press…
Ukraine’s Post-Colonial Future
For now, Ukrainians are pulling Tolstoy off their shelves, and toppling Catherine the Great from her plinth in Odesa. Once Ukrainians have won a peace they can live with, a free Ukraine will have to own the imprint of the Russian past on its soul, and then wrestle free of that past. Source link
Science fiction stories allow us to explore what we want, and what we reject with AI
Science fiction has long been a window into possible futures, often anticipating technological advancements and societal shifts with surprising accuracy. While AI is now widely recognized for its practical uses — like natural language processing and pattern recognition — science fiction often brings more captivating and thought-provoking perspectives. Movies and shows have depicted AI and…
recent research challenges myths to reveal the man behind the legend
Even 25 years after his death, Stanley Kubrick remains one of the most widely known directors of the 20th century. Many of the 13 films he made – including 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), A Clockwork Orange (1971) and The Shining (1980) – are still revered today and remembered as some of the best movies…
From ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ to ‘Silence,’ faith is rarely far off in his films
A widely circulated still from the set of Martin Scorsese’s latest film, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” shows the director sitting in a church pew. Next to him is Lily Gladstone, who plays the role of Mollie Kyle, an Osage woman whose family is targeted as part of a broader conspiracy by white Americans to…
How the Academy Awards became ‘the biggest international fashion show free-for-all’
The Oscars are no longer just a celebration of movies. They’ve also become a fashion show, with fans, designers and the media celebrating and critiquing Hollywood celebrities as they stroll, pause and pose on the red carpet of the annual awards ceremony. A sharp look can be a story in and of itself. Take actress…
From anime and sci-fi to rom-coms, films are full of faith in unexpected places
In some movies, religion hits viewers over the head – including films that take home the industry’s biggest prizes. No one could miss religion’s importance in “The Exorcist” or “Jesus Christ Superstar,” both nominated for Oscars 50 years ago. Martin Scorsese, whose “Killers of the Flower Moon” is up for 10 at the 2024 Academy…
Despite its big night at the Oscars, ‘Oppenheimer’ is a disappointment and a lost opportunity
With 13 Oscars nominations and seven wins – including best picture – “Oppenheimer” was the star of the 96th Academy Awards. Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster, which told the story of the making of the atomic bombs that were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, added to its awards season haul that includes five Golden Globes and seven…
As ‘Oppenheimer’ triumphs at the Oscars, we should ask how historical films frame our shared future
Box office receipts for Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer had already approached the billion-dollar mark worldwide before the 2024 Oscars ceremony. To this financial success, along with film awards for Best Director, Cinematography, Editing, Sound, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, Oppenheimer garnered Nolan his first Academy Award for Best Picture. In larger Academy Award history, this…
Nine years after #OscarsSoWhite, a look at what’s changed
On Sunday, nine years after #OscarsSoWhite, millions of us tuned into watch the 96th annual Academy Awards — some to simply take in the spectacle. And some to see how much had changed. The hashtag #OscarsSoWhite started after many people noticed that, for a second year in a row, all nominees for four of five…
Unlocking AI-Powered Learning by Justina Nixon-Saintil
In addition to its corporate applications, artificial intelligence is helping solve broader and more complex problems, especially in education. Industry leaders and policymakers should develop a shared approach to AI-powered learning and encourage more widespread training in the technology’s fundamentals. NEW YORK – Artificial intelligence has captured the imagination of corporate leaders eager to implement…
Late Night with the Devil is a sly, gleefully horrifying Aussie hit that invites you to be hypnotised
The ’70s-throwback found-footage horror comedy, Late Night with the Devil, joins a long list of recent Australian horror success stories. Framed as a tabloid-style retrospective, the film invites us to watch the newly discovered footage of an episode from a late-night talk show, Night Owls, broadcast live on Halloween 1977. On this night it all…
Mad Max’s ‘Furiosa’ and other car movies are starting to change who gets behind the wheel
With the movies Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Drive-Away Dolls and Will & Harper all premiering before June this year, 2024 seems like a great year to rethink who gets to be behind the wheel in our favourite car movies. In the 2015 film Mad Max: Fury Road, fans were introduced to Imperator Furiosa, a…
By not lip-syncing Amy Winehouse’s songs, actress Marisa Abela confronts impossible expectations in ‘Back to Black’
Like Amy Winehouse, “Back to Black,” the new biopic about the late British singer, has been no stranger to controversy. In the case of the film, opinion has been fiercely split about director Sam Taylor-Johnson’s decision to have actress Marisa Abela sing – instead of lip-sync to – Winehouse’s recordings. Some viewers have lauded Abela’s…
why the film’s lasting appeal stems from a simplistic stereotyping of the ‘mysterious east’
Forty years after the release of The Karate Kid, many fans of the film still can’t hear the name “Daniel” without wanting to add a “san” to it. They may channel the iconic teacher Mr Miyagi, with his deep guttural intensity. And they may even repeat the film’s most famous saying, “wax on, wax off”,…
Six Robert De Niro films that explore alienation, isolation and loneliness
“Loneliness has followed me my whole life,” says Robert De Niro’s character, Travis Bickle, in Taxi Driver. “Everywhere. In bars, in cars, sidewalks, stores, everywhere. There’s no escape. I’m God’s lonely man.” This same quote could be used to describe De Niro’s acting oeuvre. He seems drawn to characters who experience, either through choice or…
ChatGPT and the movie ‘Her’ are just the latest example of the ‘sci-fi feedback loop’
In May 2024, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman sparked a firestorm by referencing the 2013 movie “Her” to highlight the novelty of the latest iteration of ChatGPT. Within days, actor Scarlett Johansson, who played the voice of Samantha, the AI girlfriend of the protagonist in the movie “Her,” accused the company of improperly using her voice…
why Stanley Kubrick’s final film was also his greatest
Legendary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick spent a lifetime trying to make his final film, Eyes Wide Shut, a reality. He had been struggling to make it from the moment he began making feature films, some 75 years ago. When he finally did, 25 years ago in 1999, it killed him. The plot centres on a physician…
Portraits of dementia in Indian cinema raise important conversations about the condition
Movies can be effective media for spreading health information. Indian cinema, encompassing various regional film industries, holds sway over public perceptions and societal norms. Movie reviewers and caregiving advocates also note the influence of films on the perception of dementia. Health researchers have also explored dementia in Indian cinema, and highlighted how these films can…
‘Twisters’ alludes to real-life dangers of chasing storms
In its recent opening weekend, Twisters marked the biggest start ever for a natural disaster movie with US$80.5 million in North American box office revenue. The popularity of the film indicates disaster movies remain an important popular culture phenomenon. As an associate professor of disaster and emergency management, I recently was a panellist at a…
The ‘Death Mother’: Horror’s most unnerving villain
Horror films draw us into a world where our deepest anxieties are laid bare. They illuminate the darker recesses of the human psyche – ones that we often prefer to ignore. And some of the most unsettling things we can imagine, it seems, are not zombies or aliens or demons, but ones that are closer…
Political Protest and the University by Joseph S. Nye, Jr.
The 1960s still has a lot to teach us about campus protests and the proper institutional role of universities. A good rule is that colleges and universities should hold their institutional fire for cases and causes that have a direct, significant impact on their core functions of teaching, research, and independent inquiry. CAMBRIDGE – Although…
Democracy’s Data Paradox by Claire Melamed
Data, the lifeblood of modern democracies, can also be their undoing when exploited by bad actors to spread misinformation. At a time when democracy itself is on the ballot in many countries, governments must ensure that truth prevails by investing in the creation of robust data infrastructure. LONDON – This historic election year, during which…
Political Protest and the University by Joseph S. Nye, Jr.
The 1960s still has a lot to teach us about campus protests and the proper institutional role of universities. A good rule is that colleges and universities should hold their institutional fire for cases and causes that have a direct, significant impact on their core functions of teaching, research, and independent inquiry. CAMBRIDGE – Although…
Democracy’s Data Paradox by Claire Melamed
Data, the lifeblood of modern democracies, can also be their undoing when exploited by bad actors to spread misinformation. At a time when democracy itself is on the ballot in many countries, governments must ensure that truth prevails by investing in the creation of robust data infrastructure. LONDON – This historic election year, during which…
Democracy’s Data Paradox by Claire Melamed
Data, the lifeblood of modern democracies, can also be their undoing when exploited by bad actors to spread misinformation. At a time when democracy itself is on the ballot in many countries, governments must ensure that truth prevails by investing in the creation of robust data infrastructure. LONDON – This historic election year, during which…
Political Protest and the University by Joseph S. Nye, Jr.
The 1960s still has a lot to teach us about campus protests and the proper institutional role of universities. A good rule is that colleges and universities should hold their institutional fire for cases and causes that have a direct, significant impact on their core functions of teaching, research, and independent inquiry. CAMBRIDGE – Although…
6 reasons why people enjoy horror movies
The creeping shadows and haunting decorations transform the everyday into something eerie at Halloween. And you might be thinking about scaring yourself with a good horror movie. Grotesque imagery, extreme violence, startling jump scares and menacing characters are common elements, making viewers feel fear, dread and disgust. We generally aim to avoid these negative emotions…
For Gen Zs and beyond, cinema is about authentic live experience
While movie premieres and A-list celebrities attract most of the attention at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the future of film is debated in the TIFF Industry conference. As one might expect nearly two years after the public release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, AI in filmmaking has featured among the industry talks. But perhaps more…
Horror movies are as much a mainstay of Halloween as trick or treat − but why are they so bloody?
Horror movies are plentiful in 2024, and plenty bloody. The year has seen the release of films awash in blood, such as “Immaculate,” “The First Omen” and “The Strangers.” With Halloween on the way, bloody offerings are streaming, in theaters and running in marathons on cable. Watch them, and you’ll likely notice that as the…
The best horror movie you’ve never seen
It’s scary movie season, a time when many people watch films about zombies, serial killers, werewolves, magic and mysterious monsters who are impossible to kill. However, as far as I know, there’s only one film that features all of those elements – and you’ve probably never seen it. Made in 2007, “Trick ‛r Treat” consists…
this sci-fi ‘B-movie’ still shapes how we view the threat of AI
October 26, 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of director James Cameron’s science fiction classic, The Terminator – a film that popularised society’s fear of machines that can’t be reasoned with, and that “absolutely will not stop … until you are dead”, as one character memorably puts it. The plot concerns a super-intelligent AI system called…
The Case for Press Freedom Just Got Stronger by Katrin Kivi
Journalists and news outlets around the world are under threat like never before. Fortunately, two new reports illustrating the economic, health, environmental, and security benefits of a free press could help policymakers and campaigners make an even stronger case for an independent media at home and abroad. TALLINN – The argument for a free press…
Ukraine’s Post-Colonial Future
For now, Ukrainians are pulling Tolstoy off their shelves, and toppling Catherine the Great from her plinth in Odesa. Once Ukrainians have won a peace they can live with, a free Ukraine will have to own the imprint of the Russian past on its soul, and then wrestle free of that past. Source link
AI could transform film visual effects. But first, the technology needs to address copyright debate
While many people in the creative industries are worrying that AI is about to steal their jobs, Oscar-winning film director James Cameron is embracing the technology. Cameron is famous for making the Avatar and Terminator movies, as well as Titanic. Now he has joined the board of Stability.AI, a leading player in the world of…
Ukraine’s Post-Colonial Future
For now, Ukrainians are pulling Tolstoy off their shelves, and toppling Catherine the Great from her plinth in Odesa. Once Ukrainians have won a peace they can live with, a free Ukraine will have to own the imprint of the Russian past on its soul, and then wrestle free of that past. Source link
The Case for Press Freedom Just Got Stronger by Katrin Kivi
Journalists and news outlets around the world are under threat like never before. Fortunately, two new reports illustrating the economic, health, environmental, and security benefits of a free press could help policymakers and campaigners make an even stronger case for an independent media at home and abroad. TALLINN – The argument for a free press…
Unlocking AI-Powered Learning by Justina Nixon-Saintil
In addition to its corporate applications, artificial intelligence is helping solve broader and more complex problems, especially in education. Industry leaders and policymakers should develop a shared approach to AI-powered learning and encourage more widespread training in the technology’s fundamentals. NEW YORK – Artificial intelligence has captured the imagination of corporate leaders eager to implement…
The Crisis of America’s Public Defenders by John J. Donohue & Eric A. Baldwin
While competent defense counsel is essential to the fair administration of criminal justice, public defenders in the United States often lack the time and resources to provide the quality representation their clients deserve. But a new model promises to revolutionize the system. STANFORD – The public-defender system in the United States is plagued by underfunding,…
Overworked India by Shashi Tharoor
When there are more qualified young people than jobs, and when failure is not an option, workplace culture becomes cutthroat. This is certainly true in India, as the death of a young professional in July showed, and it demands action from both employers and policymakers. NEW DELHI – The tragic death of Anna Sebastian Perayil,…
Two Cheers for Identity Politics by James Livingston
The priority of socioeconomic class over other forms of identity in the political thinking of both the left and the right can be justified only by insisting on the definition of human nature specific to the Marxist tradition and the Protestant Ethic, which posit labor as the “essence of Man.” What if that definition no…
Assange Is Free, But Are We? by Slavoj Žižek
In the five years since WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was imprisoned in the United Kingdom, the world has been hit by pandemics, new wars, and intensifying climate disasters that cast doubt on our collective future. But whether the news-consuming public appreciates the dire nature of our predicament is another matter entirely. LJUBLJANA – I fought…
How Humanity Lost Control
Unlike our ancestors, our social world is not confined to our families, our neighbors, our co-workers, and those with whom we directly interact. Instead, more and more of what we do is driven by an extremely complex assembly of vast interlocking social and technological mechanisms that we have made but do not understand. Source link
Social Justice Is the Best Policy by Gilbert F. Houngbo & Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
In a world beset by climate change, deep-seated inequalities, entrenched wars, and deep uncertainty, it should be obvious to everyone that the status quo is incompatible with international development goals. A far better approach would orient policymaking and global negotiations firmly around the goal of social justice. GENEVA – It is easy to be pessimistic…
The Economics of Philanthropy by Michael Spence
Philanthropy is not a substitute for government action in areas like health, education, and the distribution of income and wealth, but it can advance public goods and improve human well-being. The key is to design institutions that deliver the reputational benefits that donors crave. FORT LAUDERDALE – The biggest election year in history is unfolding…
What to Do About the Taliban’s Gender Apartheid by Gordon Brown
Three years after the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, the international community must continue demanding an end to the bans on girls’ education and women’s participation in civil society. Even if the regime will not listen to the United Nations, it may respond to pressure from fellow Muslims. EDINBURGH – For three years now,…
As Disinformation Thrives, Democracy Dies
A new report from the OECD Development Assistance Committee shows how foreign-aid spending on public-interest journalism remains shockingly low, even though policymakers have been lamenting the crisis jeopardizing independent media for well over a decade. A shift in donor strategy is long overdue. Source link
We Are All Biomass
It is a fantasy to think that our trash- and commodity-filled environments can be left behind and replaced by life in some idyllic “natural,” ecologically sustainable environment. But perhaps the loss of that option can become the basis for a new, global sense of solidarity. Source link
A New Worldview for Troubled Times
Although markets can promote economic efficiency under the right conditions, there is no “invisible hand” to deliver solidarity, agency, material sufficiency, and environmental sustainability. These four ingredients of human flourishing should serve as the foundation of all our policymaking. Source link
The Rich World’s Immigration Conundrum by Otaviano Canuto & Eduardo de Carvalho Andrade
Fourteen high-income countries have shown how immigration can help offset declining fertility rates and maintain population levels. But with anti-immigrant sentiment on the rise, politicians in these countries face a difficult choice: welcoming foreigners or facing the economic challenges brought about by an aging population. WASHINGTON, DC – Populations around the world are aging, as…
The Emancipatory Meaning of the Paris Olympics’ Opening Ceremony by Slavoj Žižek
The ironic, obscene spectacle of the Paris Olympic opening ceremony was as far away as possible from the sterile, humorless political correctness that its critics have decried. It did not merely present Europe at its best; it reminded the world that only in Europe is such a ceremony even possible. LJUBLJANA – Two big cultural…
War Games and Tribal Passions by Ian Buruma
Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, was overly optimistic in believing that international sporting events could foster global unity. Nevertheless, international competitions offer an important outlet for nationalist or tribal sentiments that might otherwise manifest in dangerous ways. NEW YORK – When England defeated the Netherlands in the semifinal of the…
The Right to Truth by Geoff Mulgan
Given the rapid spread of online disinformation, many believe that truth is now fragmented beyond repair. But governments can shift the balance by ensuring that news outlets, digital platforms, and political leaders provide the best available knowledge, and by formally recognizing the right not to be lied to by the powerful. LONDON – Hardly a…
British Judges Are Carrying Water for China by Nicholas Reed Langen
Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement has just suffered another major blow. In a new ruling, a former UK Supreme Court president who serves on the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal has done more than Chinese propagandists ever could to bolster the false impression that China is committed to the rule of law. LONDON – One…
A Glimmer of Hope for Afghanistan’s Girls and Women by Anna Husarska
Afghan girls and women, increasingly denied their rights to education and employment, are often confined to their homes and isolated from anyone outside their immediate families. A new initiative seeks to combat hunger while also providing women with a vital space to socialize with peers. Source link
The Enduring Appeal of Live Performance by Robert Skidelsky
Even though recorded performances provide some valuable benefits, most people prefer live events. That is because the audience is part of the production, and the two sides exchange energy and the gamut of human emotions in a way that would be impossible in any other setting. SALZBURG – While taking in the immensity of Anton…
Venice’s Beauty Curse by Edoardo Campanella
In Venice, the high demand for tourist-related services that guarantee large markups has crowded out the supply of services for residents. In the absence of a long-term revitalization strategy, the historic city will remain on the path to becoming a cultural mausoleum. MILAN – Countries with great wealth or natural abundance often fall victim to…
Protesting Ethically
When we are assessing protests in democratic societies, nonviolence is not the only criterion that must be weighed. The principle of proportionality can serve as a useful guide to the factors that protesters should consider, enabling us to defend the right to protest while also specifying protesters’ ethical responsibilities. Source link
The UN’s Summit of the Future Must Champion Universal Education by Gordon Brown
The quest for universal education is the defining social-policy challenge of our time. As the lives of tens of millions of children in low-income countries are upended by conflict and climate disasters, the international community must mobilize additional financing to ensure a quality education for all of them. EDINBURGH – As many as 500 million…
Overworked India by Shashi Tharoor
When there are more qualified young people than jobs, and when failure is not an option, workplace culture becomes cutthroat. This is certainly true in India, as the death of a young professional in July showed, and it demands action from both employers and policymakers. NEW DELHI – The tragic death of Anna Sebastian Perayil,…
His crayon is purple – but is Harold a Black boy?
Is Crockett Johnson’s Harold, of “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” a child of color? If you’ve bought any of the “Harold” books published in the past 25 years, or saw the new movie starring Zachary Levi as an adult Harold, your answer is probably “No.” In 1998, HarperCollins relaunched the “Harold” books – seven picture…
top 5 picks from the Melbourne International Film Festival
Ever since I came to Melbourne as an international PhD student in film studies, the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) has provided me with a sense of home among a community of like-minded cinephiles. To quote Agnès Varda, “Cinema is my home. I think I’ve always lived in it.” For this reason, I’m honoured to…
Trump safe after assassination attempt thwarted at Florida golf course
Sept 16 (Reuters) – Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was safe on Sunday after the Secret Service foiled what the FBI called an apparent assassination attempt while he was golfing on his course in West Palm Beach, Florida. Several Secret Service agents fired on a gunman in bushes near the property line of the golf…
The action genre is a favorite among movie fans for its implementation of the classic hero versus villain dynamic, as well as explosive effects and over-the-top violence. Housing some of film’s greatest protagonists, the genre is also known for its creative and interesting foes. While most of these antagonists are men, there are plenty of…
Looking for Aliens
Humanity unleashes AI and the largest ever telescope to search for life among the stars Indian astronomers will play a critical role in the 16-nation Square Kilometer Array Observatory (SKAO), whose dish array antennas began being set up this month and which will start scanning the far corners of the universe in 2027 Having joined […]
New Evidence for Oceans of Water Deep in the Earth
Water bound in mantle rock alters our view of the Earth’s composition Grants Weinberg College EVANSTON, Ill. — Researchers from Northwestern University and the University of New Mexico report evidence for potentially oceans worth of water deep beneath the United States. Though not in the familiar liquid form — the ingredients for water are bound […]
The Revival and History of Cabaret
The Untold History of Cabaret: Revived and Kicking As Broadway welcomes the ever-evolving musical, its star, Eddie Redmayne—along with Liza Minnelli, Joel Grey, and Sam Mendes—assess its enduring power. As director Rebecca Frecknall was rehearsing a new cast for her hit London revival of Cabaret, the actor playing Clifford Bradshaw, an American writer living in […]
Indian Ocean has the world’s largest gravity hole
A vast expanse of the Indian Ocean is a staggering 100 meters lower than the global average sea level because of a major dip in Earth’s gravity. Scientists now think they know the cause An image of Earth’s geoid produced from data obtained by the European Space Agency’s GOCE (Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer) mission. Credit: […]
Inventing impressionism – Paris after 150 years
150 years ago, on April 15, 1874, the first impressionist exhibition opened in Paris. “Hungry for independence”, Monet, Renoir, Degas, Morisot, Pissarro, Sisley and Cézanne finally decided to free themselves from the rules by holding their own exhibition, outside official channels: impressionism was born. To celebrate this anniversary, Musée d’Orsay is presenting some 130 works…
Gina Lollobrigida the Icon of Italian Cinema
Gina Lollobrigida in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956), directed by Jean Delannoy. Photograph: Allied Artists/Allstar Film actor of the 1950s and 60s who went from early Italian roles to become an international star The actor Gina Lollobrigida, who has died aged 95, was one of the great film stars of the 1950s and 60s,…
How do Hollywood make Historically Accurate Outfit
How do filmmakers get period clothing to look the part? Inside the textile workshop where the past comes to life In the weave room, a worker uses a classic Crompton & Knowles loom to make suitable fabric for some 18th-century furniture. Bridget Badore Even before you walk into the prefabricated steel building set in the […]
La Colonisation: French history of death, torture and indescribable violence
Many issues arising from France’s colonial crimes in Algeria have still not been resolved Every year, Algeria remembers the colonial crimes committed by France against the Algerian people. The North African country commemorates several such dates throughout the year: February 13 – the day of the first nuclear test, July 5 – Independence Day, November…
Russia’s Soyuz MS-25 arrives at ISS
Soyuz MS-25 arrives at ISS After a 48-hour delay, the Soyuz-2-1a rocket lifted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, sending the Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft with a crew of three on its way to the International Space Station, ISS. The crew vehicle successfully docked at the outpost on March 25, 2024. Soyuz MS-25 mission at a glance:…
Thrillers hard to Miss
Thriller and Suspense Films: These are types of films known to promote intense excitement, suspense, a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, anxiety, and nerve-wracking tension. Thriller and suspense films are virtually synonymous and interchangeable categorizations, with similar characteristics and features. If the genre is to be defined strictly, a genuine thriller is a…
Know all about Mediterranean Diet
There is always a lot of talk about whether fat or sugar is the worst offender when it comes to our eating habits, but by focusing on individual dietary components, it’s easy to miss the bigger picture. While it’s important to understand how different foods and nutrients affect our health, a whole diet approach offers…
Who’s the Most Overdue for an Oscar Right Now?
The Academy Awards aren’t just about awarding the best films and performances of the year — stop being so naïve. They’re also about the power of narrative. And few register more strongly with both Oscar voters and awards obsessives than the “overdue” narrative, which tells us that not only is this person worthy of an…
Ancient Texts from Indus Civilization: Machine Learning to Decifer
Using Machine Learning to Help Digitize Ancient Texts from Indus Civilization The civilization of Indus River Valley is considered one of the three earliest civilizations in world history, along with Mesopotamia and Egypt. Bigger geographically than those two as it unfolded starting in 3300 BCE across what is now Pakistan and India, the Indus civilization […]
Cartier: A Brief History
French ambassador Bernard Vernier-Palliez proposed a toast to Nathalie Hocq, chairman of Cartier International, in town to inspect the recently opened 111th Cartier store, this one in Chevy Chase. “You have shown that a team of youngsters can lead one of the good old names to success,” said the ambassador, turning to the slender, dark-haired […]
Do they really exist? Amazon warrior women of Greek legend
Bettany Hughes at an archaeological site in Azerbaijan for her Treasures of the World series. Photograph: SandStone Global Productions Ltd Excavations of bronze age graves have found battle-scarred female archers, says the historian Bettany Hughes In Greek legends, the Amazons were feared and formidable women warriors who lived on the edge of the known world. […]
Frida movie review: A visceral exploration of the Mexican painter’s life and art
The new Frida Kahlo documentary by Carla Gutiérrez takes a deep dive into the iconic artist’s legacy with interesting results. “The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to.” A still from Frida, the new documentary on Frida Kahlo The new documentary directed by Carla Gutiérrez wants to revisit her life […]
Mary Shelley’s Monster
“Chloe liked Olivia.” When Virginia Woolf wrote this innocuous sentence in “A Room of One’s Own,” her foundational work of feminist criticism, she opened the door to another field, still decades in the future—that of queer literary criticism. “Do not start. Do not blush,” Woolf cautioned her audience. (The published text of “A Room of…
Moments paving the way for gender equality in sport
From Fanny Blankers-Koen to Megan Rapinoe and Simone Biles, women have been pushing the boundaries of sport and changing perceptions for decades. Gender equality is a top priority in the modern Olympic Movement. Indeed, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) states that “sport is one of the most powerful platforms for promoting gender equality and empowering […]
Kurt Cobain: unseen family photographs of Nirvana’s broken idol
Thirty years after the troubled musician joined rock’s most tragic club, he is adored by a generation who weren’t yet born when he died Let’s start at the end: April 5 1994. Kurt Cobain was alone when he died, in a greenhouse above a garage at the back of his home in Seattle. In his hand was…
Massive explosions may be visible on the sun during the April 8 total solar eclipse
If you’re in the path of totality for the April 8 total solar eclipse, you’ll experience a brief period of darkness — totality — for a few seconds or minutes. This is the only safe time to look directly at the sun without solar eclipse glasses. If you observe the sun’s corona during totality, you…
Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly saga with her lists plastic surgeries
Megan Fox is pulling back the curtain on two hot-and-cold relationships that have fueled gossip about her in recent years: the first, with rapper Machine Gun Kelly, and the second, with plastic surgery. Fox’s romance with MGK has been the subject of much speculation amid recent reports of growing conflict between the two. The “Jennifer’s […]
Best International Gangster Movies
Hollywood has put out its fair share of iconic gangster movies over the years, it’s fair to say. These go back to the Golden Age of Hollywood, where old-school actors like James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart became stars in part due to their roles in such movies. And then the gangster genre got more complex…
Every Jean-Pierre Jeunet Movie
The director of ‘Amélie’ and ‘Delicatessen’ is on a league of his own. Jean-Pierre Jeunet is undoubtedly a singular filmmaker; whether it is the stunning visuals of his charming and offbeat movies — both of which are trademarks that result in them being instantly recognized — or the quirky but at times relatable characters they […]
Best Movies on Hulu Right Now
There are so many good movies on Hulu, from side-splitting comedies like Fire Island to passionate romances like Palm Springs to terrifying horror films like The Babadook. There are so many good ones, in fact, that it can be hard to wade through everything to find the cream of the crop. Never fear: We’ve compiled […]
Movies worth watching on HBO Max
Another streaming service means another vast library of titles to sift through to find what you want to watch. Max is the streaming service from WarnerMedia, hosting not just titles from the pay cable channel HBO, but a bevy of films from the Warner Bros. library and other studios. There’s a great selection of classics, […]
Dignity and justice key to end evil of racial discrimination
The international day on Thursday highlights that theme, as well as the importance of recognition, justice and development opportunities for those of African descent, said Secretary-General António Guterres. He said the results of entrenched racism continue to be devasting: “opportunities stolen; dignity denied; rights violated; lives taken and lives destroyed.” The African diaspora faces a…
