NEW YORK (AP) ― When Apple rolled out iTunes for the masses in the spring of 2003, the music industry was at a point of transition ― and chaos.Entering the new millennium, albums were enjoying blockbuster sales of several million units for its superstar artists, and profits were booming. Yet the thr

Performance Oct. 9, 2011

CARDIFF, United Kingdom (AFP) ― Michael Jackson’s three children helped 40,000 fans honor the late pop legend Saturday as the “Michael Forever” show in Wales overcame a troubled build up to end on a high note.There had been doubts over whether the tribute show would go ahead after months of controve

Performance Oct. 9, 2011

HONG KONG (AFP) ―Sotheby’s said Friday it had sold more than $410 million in luxury goods, wine, art and antiques in its autumn sale in Hong Kong, with wealthy Chinese collectors driving much of the bidding. The October 1-6 autumn sale saw more than 3,000 lots sold for more than HK$3.2 billion (US$4

Performance Oct. 9, 2011

BERLIN (AFP) ― Authors once just had to deal with a publisher but are now being forced to embrace the digital age and negotiate the rights to their works for TV, films and ebooks.Organizers of the Frankfurt Book Fair, which opens on Wednesday, said the challenges thrown up by the upheaval in the boo

Books Oct. 9, 2011

FREEPORT, Maine (AP) ― The founder of the Dead Poets Society of America is visiting graves and other sites associated with Jack Kerouac and five others in his effort to recognize fallen bards.Walter Skold of Freeport, Maine, says the Dead Poets 2011 Magic Bus Tour is in Massachusetts on Friday to pa

Books Oct. 9, 2011

LONDON (AFP) ― A British curry house was in hot water Wednesday after a competition to find out who could stomach most of its infamous “Kismot Killer” curry ended up with two participants hospitalized.Emergency services are demanding a review into the tournament after they were called to the Kismot

Food Oct. 7, 2011

TRIPOLI (AP) -- Actor-activist Sean Penn says he admires Libyans for their courage in overthrowing Moammar Gadhafi.Penn spoke during a visit to Tripoli on Wednesday.He declined to comment on details about what he plans to do in the Libyan capital. But he told Associated Press Television News that he

People Oct. 6, 2011

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Movie studio Universal Pictures and its new parent, cable TV giant Comcast Corp., will try giving film buffs a chance to watch a movie that’s still in theaters from the comfort of their living rooms. But the price tag for a single movie could have consumers spitting out their popc

Film Oct. 6, 2011

TAIPEI (AFP) -- Widely acclaimed two-part epic “Seediq Bale” leads the nominations at Taiwan‘s annual Golden Horse Awards, also known as the “Chinese Oscars.”The latest offering from Taiwanese director Wei Te-sheng was nominated in 11 categories including best feature film, according to a statement

Film Oct. 6, 2011

COPENHAGEN (AFP) ― Danish director Lars von Trier said Wednesday Danish police had questioned him on French charges relating to his controversial remarks at the Cannes Film Festival about Adolf Hitler.“I was today at 2:00 p.m. questioned by North Zealand police regarding a preliminary charge from th

Film Oct. 6, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg invoked composer Aaron Copland. The chief justice countered with guitarist Jimi Hendrix.The high court’s generational divide was on display Wednesday as the justices heard arguments about whether Congress acted properly in extending U

Arts & Design Oct. 6, 2011

PARIS (AP) ― The ninth and final day of Paris’ grueling ready-to-wear marathon was reminiscent of Sergio Leone’s classic 1966 spaghetti western, with good, bad and downright ugly displays.With an average of 11 shows on the calendar daily, every day is, of course, a mixed bag. But because many top fa

Arts & Design Oct. 6, 2011

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Six weeks before Michael Jackson died, his doctor recorded the semi-comatose superstar mumbling what might have been his farewell address to the world.In a slow, slurred voice, clearly under the influence of sedatives, Jackson spoke about leaving a performance legacy bigger than E

People Oct. 6, 2011