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Porn star's calligraphy sparks art debate in China

Agence France-PresseMay 22, 2013 04:15

Calligraphy by Japanese porn star Sola Aoi has sparked a culture war in China, where she has a huge fan base, with purists dismissing the work as "unskilled" after it was reportedly auctioned for $95,000. Eight Chinese characters the actress wrote with brush and ink at a theme park in the eastern city of Ningbo were sold earlier this month, the Liberation Daily newspaper said Wednesday, without identifying the auction house or buyer. "The style of calligraphy is childish, unskilled," said the newspaper, which is backed by Shanghai's Communist Party branch.

AFP Europe News Agenda

Agence France-PresseMay 22, 2013 03:46

What's happening in Europe on Wednesday: + EU summit focuses on tax evasion + Cameron holds Paris talks with Hollande + 'Only God Forgives' premieres at Cannes + Pussy Riot member pleads for jail release BRUSSELS: EU leaders open a summit from 1100 GMT, focused on energy policy and tax evasion. (EU-SUMMIT-ECONOMY-TAX-ENERGY). Picture. Video. PARIS: Fresh from their Brussels summit, French President Francois Hollande holds a working dinner with British Prime Minister David Cameron. Press statement at 1800 GMT. Picture. (FRANCE-BRITAIN-DIPLOMACY)

Green Bay Packers - TeamReport

Thomson ReutersMay 21, 2013 23:19

NFL Team Report - Green Bay Packers - INSIDE SLANT For one reason or another, the Packers didn't have close to a full squad on the field for their second session of this year's organized team activities Tuesday. Emerging cornerback Sam Shields is staying away from the voluntary spring workouts because he hasn't signed his one-year, $2.02 million tender offer from the team as a restricted free agent.

Damon Lindelof admits 'Star Trek' strip down was 'gratuitous,' 'misogynistic' moment

Thomson ReutersMay 21, 2013 22:16

By Greg Gilman LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - "Star Trek Into Darkness" co-writer Damon Lindelof has kind of, sort of apologized for anyone offended by the gratuitous display of Alice Eve's nearly-naked body in movie theaters (and the movie's marketing) around the world. "I copped to the fact that we should have done a better job of not being gratuitous in our representation of a barely clothed actress," Lindelof wrote on Twitter on Monday night.

Pope names Valdez Torres bishop of Ensenada, Mexico

Agencia EFEMay 21, 2013 20:00

Vatican City, May 21 (EFE).- Pope Francis has named Rafael Valdez Torres, who has been serving as pastor and rector of the Shrine of Our Lord of the Miracles in San Juan Nuevo, to be the new bishop of Ensenada, Mexico, the Vatican press office said Tuesday. Valdez Torres, who was born on Nov. 4, 1959, in Santiago Tangamandapio, was ordained on Feb. 9, 1985. He studied philosophy at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University. Valdez Torres has worked as a parish priest and professor of philosophy at seminaries in Mexico.

Anchoring ban brings cheers and jeers

Thomson ReutersMay 21, 2013 18:18

By Larry Fine NEW YORK (Reuters) - The decision on Tuesday by golf's rule-makers to ban the anchoring of putters brought cheers and jeers from among prominent players and major golf organizations. The U.S. PGA Tour and the PGA of America, who both emphatically opposed the proposed rule, said they were still against a ban and would evaluate their positions now that the rule has been officially adopted to begin on January 1, 2016.

AFPTV-Agenda

Agence France-PresseMay 21, 2013 18:15

We plan to file the following videos on Wednesday. Please check the daily advisories for any additions and amendments. -- TOP WORLD NEWS -- + OKLAHOMA TORNADO MOORE, OKLAHOMA: Following developments on recovery efforts in tornado-hit Oklahoma. RAW. TBA + FRIENDS OF SYRIA MEETING AMMAN: British Foreign Secretary William Hague holds a press conference. 1000GMT AMMAN: US Secretary of State John Kerry holds press conference. 1500 GMT

Porter's proposed runway extension defers marine exclusion zone fill project

The Canadian PressMay 21, 2013 18:01

TORONTO - The Toronto Port Authority is putting off plans to fill in an area of Lake Ontario near Billy Bishop Airport because it's unclear if the material would be able to support a proposed runway extension. Porter Airlines and city council are trying to extend the runway at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport by 168 metres at each end to allow for the use of jets. Porter announced in April that it had placed a conditional order for 12 Bombardier CS100 jets that would allow the airline to fly to Los Angeles, Florida, Calgary and the Caribbean.

Court revives lawsuit vs Electronic Arts over video game image

Thomson ReutersMay 21, 2013 17:46

By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) - A divided federal appeals court has revived a lawsuit against Electronic Arts Inc by a former Rutgers University star football quarterback, who accused it of using his image in a video game without permission. By a 2-1 vote, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said on Tuesday that Ryan Hart, who played for Rutgers from 2002 to 2005, may pursue allegations that EA misappropriated his likeness for its NCAA Football game, one of the nation's best-selling video games.

Teens share more online, see privacy issues

Agence France-PresseMay 21, 2013 17:45

American teenagers are sharing more information about themselves on social media sites, but taking steps to protect their privacy online, a study showed Tuesday. The new survey showed 91 percent of those surveyed posted a photo of themselves, up from 79 percent in 2006; 71 percent post the city or town where they live; and 53 percent posted their email address. But the survey of youth aged 12 to 17 also found 60 percent of Facebook users set their profiles to "private," which limits who can view their data.