In a Dubai recording studio, hijab-clad Ghaliaa Chaker tunes her guitar and belts out original songs as she builds a career that is turning heads for more than just her music.
The 26-year-old Syrian, who was raised in the United Arab Emirates, has become a social media sensation, with 437,000 followers on Instagram and millions of views on her YouTube channel.
Full StoryPro-Palestinian protesters disrupted an opening night screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, chanting "Stop the genocide!" during opening remarks.
At the screening for the David Gordon Green comedy "Nutcrackers" on Thursday evening, four protesters walked down the center aisle of the Princess of Wales Theatre, carrying signs and flashlights while shouting criticism of festival sponsor Royal Bank of Canada. "Cut ties with RBC," they yelled.
Full StoryLady Gaga has arrived at the Venice Film Festival for the world premiere of "Joker: Folie à Deux" Wednesday evening. The pop star made a grand entrance in advance of a news conference, in a private water taxi alongside her director, Todd Phillips and co-star Joaquin Phoenix, as fans and photographers nearby shouted "Gaga! Gaga! Gaga!" in unison.
She wore an elegant black dress, beret and sunglasses offsetting her blonde hair. Gaga blew kisses and signed some autographs on the way.
Full StoryA federal judge in Atlanta ruled Tuesday that Donald Trump and his campaign must stop using the song "Hold On, I'm Coming" while the family of one of the song's co-writers pursues a lawsuit against the former president over its use.
The estate of Isaac Hayes Jr. filed a lawsuit last month alleging that Trump, his campaign and several of his allies had infringed its copyright and should pay damages. After a hearing on the estate's request for an emergency preliminary injunction, U.S. District Judge Thomas Thrash ruled that Trump must stop using the song, but he denied a request to force the campaign to take down any existing videos that include the song.
Full StoryMinus 1 (Tabaris) and Roland el Khoury have invited the public to the opening of the art exhibition "Solace - Before the World Turned Silent."
The exhibition features fourteen unique chapters, each inspired by songs that helped the artist navigate the pain of societal pressures and the fear of losing his hearing -- transforming these challenges into powerful works of art.
Full StorySpanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar returns to the Venice Film Festival with stars Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore, Monday. "The Room Next Door" will have its world premiere on the Lido in the evening.
Though a new Almodóvar film is always an event for cinephiles, this one has special significance: It's his English-language debut.
Full StoryGeorge Clooney and Brad Pitt returned to the Venice Film Festival on Sunday for the world premiere of "Wolfs."
Before hitting the red carpet, the Hollywood stars reflected on reuniting, the rise of streaming and Clooney's New York Times op-ed urging President Joe Biden to end his reelection bid.
Full StoryOne of two doctors charged in connection with Matthew Perry's death is set to appear Friday in a federal court in Los Angeles, where he is expected to plead guilty to conspiring to distribute the surgical anesthetic ketamine.
Dr. Mark Chavez, 54, of San Diego, reached a plea agreement with prosecutors earlier this month and would be the third person to plead guilty in the aftermath of the "Friends" star's fatal overdose last year.
Full StoryThe Swiss city of Basel will host next year's Eurovision Song Contest from May 13 to 17, organizers announced Friday.
The mostly German-speaking city on the Rhine River bordering both France and Germany was selected over Geneva in a faceoff that generated buzz and anticipation across Switzerland.
Full StoryAngelina Jolie has played an evil queen, a war correspondent, a hacker, an international spy and a sociopath. She's now adding opera singer to her resume.
It's not just any opera singer either: Jolie stars as the legendary soprano Maria Callas in a new film from Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín. "Maria" will have its world premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival Thursday night.
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