Showing 1 - 10 of 68
Austria foils ‘terror’ plot to strike Taylor Swift concert
Published on 08/08/2024
» VIENNA - A 19-year-old Austrian terrorism suspect had taken concrete steps in planning an attack on a Taylor Swift concert, with chemical substances found during a search of his residence, officials said on Thursday.
Govt defends its ‘confidence’ in Tomorrowland
Published on 29/03/2024
» The government has defended its stance after the organisers of Tomorrowland, a major electronic dance music (EDM) festival, denied a government statement suggesting that the annual event would come to Thailand, saying the offer was still being studied.
Musical dissent
Life, John Clewley, Published on 26/03/2024
» Award-winning singer Kiran Ahluwalia was nearly lost to music fans 20 years ago. The Indian-born Canadian musician had completed an MBA and was all set to move forward with a career in finance, but she had misgivings about working with leveraged buyouts and her heart was not in it.
Getting soft power right
Life, Published on 08/01/2024
» After three months in office, the Srettha Thavisin government has raved on about populist policies in the guise of digital wallets and soft power projects that will create income to boost our declining economy. With optimism, we learned that Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Pheu Thai party leader and head of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee (NSPSC), has drafted a budget of 5.1 billion baht to boost festivals and creative industries. It is welcoming news to hear this government is priortising art, music, literature, design, fashion, film, food, games, sports and festivals as essential sources for the creative economy. Where this enormous chunk of budget will come from, like digital wallets, remains to be seen.
A year of K-pop
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 26/12/2023
» One of the biggest K-pop stories in December has been the enlistment of the remaining four members of BTS for mandatory military service. On Dec 11, RM, the leader of BTS, and V, the vocalist, began their enlistment. The following day, two other vocalists, Jimin and Jungkook, entered training camps in Yeoncheon together. As the world's biggest boy band goes on hiatus, it will be interesting to see which rival claims the top spot in the absence of BTS.
Roger Waters faces Argentina, Uruguay hotel ban amid 'anti-Semitism' row
AFP, Published on 16/11/2023
» BUENOS AIRES - A complaint of "anti-Semitism" was filed against Roger Waters in Argentina Wednesday as the former Pink Floyd frontman, on tour, accused "the Israeli lobby" of barring him from hotels in South America.
Rushdie filled with 'foreboding' at Israel-Hamas war
AFP, Published on 20/10/2023
» FRANKFURT - Author Salman Rushdie on Friday urged a "cessation" in fighting between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas, saying he was filled with "horror" and "foreboding".
Ukraine in focus at Toronto film festival
AFP, Published on 13/09/2023
» TORONTO (CANADA) - More than 18 months into Russia's invasion of Ukraine, documentary filmmakers who screened their latest work on the conflict at the Toronto film festival say it is more important than ever to keep the crisis in the public consciousness.
Venice and the milk of dreams
Life, Apinan Poshyananda, Published on 15/08/2022
» Santa Maria Della Salute, also known as Saint Mary of Health, stands majestically at Punta Della Dogana by the Grand Canal in the city of Venice. In 1631, Venice experienced an unusually devastating plague when nearly a third of the population was wiped out. As a votive offering, the Republic of Venice vowed to build and dedicate a church to Our Lady of Health with objects of art that bore reference to the Black Death. In March 2022, after postponement due to Covid-19 that killed thousands in the city, the 59th Venice Biennale opened under the theme of "The Milk Of Dreams" and was welcomed like a warm delicious latte by the art world.
Saudi artists marvel at surprise patron: their own rulers
AFP, Published on 29/06/2022
» AL-ULA (SAUDI ARABIA): In one of Saudi artist Ahmed Mater's best-known works, a silhouette of a gas pump morphs into a man holding a gun to his head –- a clear critique of oil's damaging influence.