Category: today’s top story

“The Museum of Danish Cartoon Art in Copenhagen is planning to buy the 12 caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad which sparked global riots when they were published in European newspapers. More than 50 people died in the violence which followed.”

“The investigation, carried out by the Italian Cultural Patrimony Protection (TPC) squad, concluded last summer with an unprecedented 85 indictments and 52 arrests–the biggest bust ever of the tombaroli (‘tomb raiders’). Government officials, teachers and plumbers are among the suspects.”

“At least as important to the company’s recovery as an audience-friendly approach is what Janet Eilber has done with the dances, which for years looked cartoonishly overwrought. She has returned them to the dancers, who have made them human again.”

“Federal agents carried out coordinated raids on four Southern California museums and a Los Angeles art gallery early today, the first public move in a five-year investigation of an alleged smuggling pipeline that authorities say funneled looted Southeast Asian and Native American artifacts into local museums.”

“Striking Hollywood writers snatched victory from the jaws of defeat yesterday when they revealed they had decided not to picket the upcoming Grammy Awards, which means it will be a celebrity-swarm zone. But the Writers Guild of America’s board of directors has not yet decided whether to grant the Recording Academy’s trophy show on Feb. 10 an interim agreement, so that two WGA writers can work on the show itself.”

“No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood led the nominees for the 80th Academy Awards, with eight nominations each. Michael Clayton, starring George Clooney, picked up nominations in several major categories,” and indie breakout hit Juno garnered a Best Picture nod as well as nominations for Best Actress and Best Original Screenplay.

“The savings would be achieved primarily by cutting the number of full-time musicians from 53 to 31 and the number of performance weeks from 46 to 34. The symphony forecasts a $1.5 million deficit this year, down from a record $2.2 million last season.”

What is it about the demise of an artist that so often triggers a reconsideration of his significance? In the short run, the Death Effect arises in part from the publication of obituaries that discuss the whole of his achievement, admiringly or otherwise…

“We want to make the National more porous. We want to knock through those brick walls at the back, so people are able to look into our workshops. I’d even float something that would horrify most of my colleagues: that rehearsals should be visible and accessible. People are fascinated by how the performing arts are put together. Theatre has been slow to catch up on this. We’re also planning to go greener by creating a park on the roof of the building.”

“The musicians’ new five-year agreement calls for a pay freeze at the 2006-2007 rate during the first three years, then a two-and-a-half percent increase in the fourth year and a three percent increase in year five.”