TAIPEI (AFP) ― Taiwan’s top museum, which houses one of the world’s largest Chinese imperial art collections, has launched an expansion plan similar to France’s Grand Louvre project, an official said Sunday.The decade-long plan starting in 2012, officially unveiled by President Ma Ying-jeou last wee

Concerns raised about lax rules on use of donated sperm in North AmericaMONTREAL (AFP) ― In a scenario straight from science fiction, experts are increasingly concerned about lax rules for sperm donors in the U.S. and Canada where some men have anonymously fathered dozens of children.Unlike in some

With wine consumption falling in Europe, producers are looking toward Asia as the driver of growth for the wine industry and consumers in the region have been receptive. But while there is plenty of enthusiasm for wine in Asia, consumers and sommelier students continue to struggle to understand wine

French actress Isabelle Huppert poses for a photo during the opening ceremony of the 16th edition of BIFF at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae, Busan, on Thurs­day. (Yonhap News)BUSAN, South Korea (AP) ― French actress Isabelle Huppert says curiosity has drawn her to Asia and helped her discov

SANTA FE, New Mexico (AP) -- This historic state capital and artistic enclave, long a favorite vacation and second home destination for celebrities, is expanding its star power this month with the opening of the world’s newest movie studio.But the development on 26 picturesque hectares southeast of

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

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

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

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

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

The minute I poured this 2010 Lirac, the scent of dried wild herbs, ripe blackberries, olives and earth leapt out of the glass. It’s so rich and intense, it comes on like a baby Chteauneuf. In fact, the Brechet family that produces this wine, a blend of 60 percent Syrah and 40 percent Grenache, is r

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

STOCKHOLM (AFP) ― Scandinavia’s best-known living poet, Tomas Transtroemer, who on Thursday won the Nobel Prize for Literature at age 80, explores the relationship between our intimate inner selves and the world around us.Swedish poet Tomas Transtromer (AP-Yonhap News)A trained psychologist, Transtr

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

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

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

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

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

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

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