Israel is tired of Hollywood filming Jesus' crucifixion in Italy and the Crusader invasion of the Holy Land in Morocco.
So Israeli officials are promising better tax breaks, terror attack insurance and handouts of up to $400,000 to lure international movie producers to the holy city of Jerusalem. They want to cash in on the multibillion-dollar industry, and want the real Jerusalem on the silver screen — not Mediterranean stand-ins.
Full StorySyrian-born poet Adonis has become the first Arabic-speaking author to receive one of Germany's most prestigious literary awards, the Goethe Prize of the city of Frankfurt.
The 81-year-old Adonis accepted the award on Sunday in Frankfurt.
Full StoryLondon's Caribbean-flavored Notting Hill Carnival got under way Sunday amid hopes that Europe's biggest street festival would not be marred by a repeat of this month's devastating riots.
The two-day extravaganza in west London attracts up to a million revelers to watch troupes of dancers in exotic costumes perform on floats as powerful sound systems pump out music.
Full StoryTwo rhinoceros horns were stolen from a British museum on Saturday -- only the horns were fake and worthless.
The horns were removed from a stuffed Indian rhino and a White rhino specimen at the Natural History Museum's site in Tring, northwest of London.
Full StoryWhen Chicago-based rock act Rise Against began writing a song about suicide among gay teens, the band's lead singer tried to block out the event that inspired the tune — the death of a gay friend.
"His loss was something big to me," said Tim McIlrath.
Full StoryMel Gibson and his Russian ex-girlfriend have reached a financial and custody settlement of a bitter dispute that spawned a criminal case and left the Academy Award winner's reputation damaged.
Los Angeles Superior Court officials said in a statement late Friday that Gibson and musician Oksana Grigorieva had reached an agreement after days of negotiation. Terms and conditions of the settlement were not announced, but a hearing Wednesday will be held to discuss the financial terms.
Full StoryThe MBC media conglomerate has canceled a show by a popular Lebanese presenter known in the Arab world for hosting the Arabic version of "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?" because of support of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
The Dubai-based MBC Group said it has decided to cancel a show hosted by George Qordahi that was to start airing next week "out of respect for the feelings of the Syrian people."
Full StoryAlexa Meade does make paintings of people, but on people.
The 24-year-old self-taught artist paints over people so that they look like paintings, then photographs them either in a natural setting or with a painted background.
Full StoryThe cast of "Chicago" plans to celebrate their show reaching a Broadway milestone a day early.
The actors and crew will host a small backstage party at intermission during Friday evening's performance to mark the moment when it becomes the fourth longest-running show in Broadway history.
Full StoryJim Carrey is launching his new website with a bang.
The 49-year-old actor posted a video love letter to "The Help" star Emma Stone on www.jimcarreytrulife.com Wednesday that many online deemed "creepy." The one-minute, 53-second video shows Carrey speaking into a handheld camera and sincerely professing his love for the 22-year-old actress.
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