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LONDON, Jan 26 (Reuters) – A group of artists is shining a light on the impact of climate change, rising sea levels and nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands after travelling to the remote Pacific nation as part of an expedition. The "Kõmij Mour Ijin/Our Life is Here" exhibition at London's National Maritime Museum features paintings, sculptures, photos and video installations exploring the nation's dark history and the threat facing its inhabitants.  Led by Cape Farewell, a cultural art and climate project founded by artist David Buckland, a team of artists, writers, scientists and filmmakers set sail to the Marshall Islands in 2023. They visited various atolls, including Bikini, where the U.S. carried out nuclear bomb tests from 1946 to 1958, such as "Castle Bravo" in 1954 – the largest U.S. bomb ever detonated. "‘Our Life is Here’… refers to them. It's how they could construct their life in among the terrible history and the potential future," Buckland told Reuters. "The atolls are six feet above sea water, that doesn't take much of the Pacific Ocean to rise, to actually make them uninhabitable. So that threat is hanging over them." On show at the exhibition, which opened in late November and runs until June, are works exploring the threat of rising flood waters as well as photographs of Marshall Islanders both by international and local artists. Home to around 40,000 people, the Marshall Islands is one of the countries most vulnerable to rising sea levels, which are projected to put 96% of the capital Majuro at risk of frequent flooding, according to a 2021 World Bank study.  Last year was among the planet's three warmest on record, the World Meteorological Organization said earlier this month, as EU scientists also confirmed average temperatures have now exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming for the longest since records began. (Reporting by Marie-Louise Gumuchian; Editing by Toby Chopra)

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By Rollo Ross and Danielle Broadway LOS ANGELES, Jan 26 (Reuters) – Paris Hilton is known for being a socialite, reality TV star, model, and occasional actor. Now the 44-year-old American wants to show audiences she can be a musician and activist, too. "Infinite Icon: A Virtual Memoir," arrives in theaters on January 30, following Hilton as she records her 2024 electro-pop album "Infinite Icon" and prepares for a one-time performance at the Hollywood Palladium. She said she wants to show a more serious side to herself than the bubbly blonde persona she was known for when she first became famous in the late 1990s.  "In the beginning, I developed this persona and character, I think, as an armor or shield," she told Reuters at her home in Beverly Hills.  "I had just been through so much trauma in my life and then getting the first reality show with 'The Simple Life' and then playing that character on and on – you know, I didn't realize I'd have to do it for five seasons straight – and then the whole world just got to know me in that way," she added.  While the media personality said that she believes that her playful persona will always be a part of her, she now wants to show a more mature side. That includes her campaigning for greater federal oversight of youth care programs. Hilton, the great-granddaughter of Hilton Hotels founder Conrad Hilton, has spoken out about the emotional and physical abuse she endured when she was placed in residential youth treatment facilities as a teen. She has also been working with congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to push for passage of the Defiance Act, which would improve rights for those affected by deep-fake pornography. "I knew that I had to stand up and use my voice," Hilton said, highlighting how her campaigning had contributed to 15 state laws and two federal bills. Her activism was "the most meaningful work of her life," Hilton added.  (Reporting by Rollo Ross and Danielle Broadway, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)

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By Rollo Ross and Danielle Broadway LOS ANGELES, Jan 26 (Reuters) – Paris Hilton is known for being a socialite, reality TV star, model, and occasional actor. Now the 44-year-old American wants to show audiences she can be a musician and activist, too. "Infinite Icon: A Virtual Memoir," arrives in theaters on January 30, following Hilton as she records her 2024 electro-pop album "Infinite Icon" and prepares for a one-time performance at the Hollywood Palladium. She said she wants to show a more serious side to herself than the bubbly blonde persona she was known for when she first became famous in the late 1990s.  "In the beginning, I developed this persona and character, I think, as an armor or shield," she told Reuters at her home in Beverly Hills.  "I had just been through so much trauma in my life and then getting the first reality show with 'The Simple Life' and then playing that character on and on – you know, I didn't realize I'd have to do it for five seasons straight – and then the whole world just got to know me in that way," she added.  While the media personality said that she believes that her playful persona will always be a part of her, she now wants to show a more mature side. That includes her campaigning for greater federal oversight of youth care programs. Hilton, the great-granddaughter of Hilton Hotels founder Conrad Hilton, has spoken out about the emotional and physical abuse she endured when she was placed in residential youth treatment facilities as a teen. She has also been working with congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to push for passage of the Defiance Act, which would improve rights for those affected by deep-fake pornography. "I knew that I had to stand up and use my voice," Hilton said, highlighting how her campaigning had contributed to 15 state laws and two federal bills. Her activism was "the most meaningful work of her life," Hilton added.  (Reporting by Rollo Ross and Danielle Broadway, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)

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By Bo Erickson WASHINGTON, Jan 24 (Reuters) – First lady Melania Trump hosted a private White House screening on Saturday of a new film documenting her life in the 20 days leading up to President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, the White House said. The movie, "Melania," is set for a global release on January 30. Saturday's showing was the first time the president, her family and close friends saw the film in full, said Marc Beckman, the first lady’s outside adviser and agent. The film offers rare behind-the-scenes access to the first lady, who has kept a low public profile during her husband’s second term. The trailer opens on Inauguration Day in January 2025, showing her donning a navy wide-brimmed hat for the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. It also depicts her role as an adviser to the president, including a moment in which she encourages him to emphasize “peacemaker and unifier” in his inaugural address. Saturday's East Room screening followed the president's tariff threat to Canada, defense of federal agents after a fatal shooting in Minnesota, and preparation for a winter storm barreling through the southern U.S. About 70 people across the cultural spectrum attended, including former professional boxer Mike Tyson and Jordan's Queen Rania, who is featured in the film's trailer, a person familiar with the event said. Other attendees included Amazon's CEO Andy Jassy, Amazon MGM Studios head Mike Hopkins, and film director Brett Ratner, as well as Larry Culp, the CEO of General Electric.  Beckman, who produced the film, oversaw the $40 million movie deal with Amazon MGM Studios, plus a follow-up documentary series set for release later this year focusing on some of Melania Trump's priorities, including children in foster care.  PREMIERE THIS WEEK "This is not a political film at all," Beckman said in an interview this week, adding that the first lady spearheaded the film's creative direction. The movie highlights her fashion choices, diplomatic engagements and the operations surrounding her Secret Service protection. Beckman said viewers also will see moments that capture the president's sense of humor. Ahead of the public theatrical release of the film next week, the president and first lady will attend a premiere on Thursday at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center by the Trump-appointed board of directors.  The first lady is also scheduled to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday to promote the film. (Reporting by Bo Erickson; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Alistair Bell and Diane Craft)

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ST PETERSBURG, Jan 24 (Reuters) – Konstantin Bronzit may be one of Russia's most celebrated animators, but he still gets the jitters during awards season. The 60-year-old writer-director is nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film this year for the 15-minute "Three Sisters", competing alongside productions from the United States, Canada, Ireland and France. The winners will be announced on March 15. Bronzit has received two Oscar nods already for films released in 2007 and 2015, but getting recognition from the Academy never gets old, he told Reuters in an interview in St Petersburg, where he works at one of Russia's largest animation studios. "Every time, the chances of getting to Olympus are basically zero, and every time it's a miracle," Bronzit says of receiving another Oscar nomination. His new film, which follows three sisters whose harmonious lives on an isolated island are upended by the arrival of a sailor, took him five to six years to make, Bronzit estimates. He carried the characters around in his head on weekends and holidays, brainstorming different bits of plot. "There is this endless, full-fledged internal work going on," he says. "Nothing comes together quickly and easily." Bronzit, who has been working in animation since the 1990s, says he is amazed at how many young artists still seek to join what he calls a "time-consuming, difficult profession." Even as Russian studios receive generous state support, they too have been hit by what Bronzit casts as a "global crisis" in the animation industry, in part caused by a glut of content. "It's always an up-and-down situation," he says. "We will dig into this problem, reach the bottom, and then new production will begin again." (Reporting by Reuters in St Petersburg; Writing by Lucy Papachristou;Editing by Tomasz Janowski)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

ST PETERSBURG, Jan 24 (Reuters) – Konstantin Bronzit may be one of Russia's most celebrated animators, but he still gets the jitters during awards season. The 60-year-old writer-director is nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film this year for the 15-minute "Three Sisters", competing alongside productions from the United States, Canada, Ireland and France. The winners will be announced on March 15. Bronzit has received two Oscar nods already for films released in 2007 and 2015, but getting recognition from the Academy never gets old, he told Reuters in an interview in St Petersburg, where he works at one of Russia's largest animation studios. "Every time, the chances of getting to Olympus are basically zero, and every time it's a miracle," Bronzit says of receiving another Oscar nomination. His new film, which follows three sisters whose harmonious lives on an isolated island are upended by the arrival of a sailor, took him five to six years to make, Bronzit estimates. He carried the characters around in his head on weekends and holidays, brainstorming different bits of plot. "There is this endless, full-fledged internal work going on," he says. "Nothing comes together quickly and easily." Bronzit, who has been working in animation since the 1990s, says he is amazed at how many young artists still seek to join what he calls a "time-consuming, difficult profession." Even as Russian studios receive generous state support, they too have been hit by what Bronzit casts as a "global crisis" in the animation industry, in part caused by a glut of content. "It's always an up-and-down situation," he says. "We will dig into this problem, reach the bottom, and then new production will begin again." (Reporting by Reuters in St Petersburg; Writing by Lucy Papachristou;Editing by Tomasz Janowski)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Bo Erickson WASHINGTON, Jan 24 (Reuters) – First lady Melania Trump will host a private White House screening on Saturday of a new film documenting her life in the 20 days leading up to President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, an adviser said. The movie, "Melania," is set for a global release on January 30. Saturday's showing will be the first time the president, her family and close friends see the film in full, said Marc Beckman, the first lady’s outside adviser and agent. The film offers rare behind-the-scenes access to the first lady, who has kept a low public profile during her husband’s second term. The trailer opens on Inauguration Day in January 2025, showing her donning a navy wide-brimmed hat for the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. It also depicts her role as an adviser to the president, including a moment in which she encourages him to emphasize “peacemaker and unifier” in his inaugural address. Beckman, who produced the film, oversaw the $40 million movie deal with Amazon's MGM Studios, plus a follow-up documentary series set for release later this year focusing on some of Melania Trump's priorities, including children in foster care.  "This is not a political film at all," Beckman said in an interview, adding that the first lady spearheaded the film's creative direction. The movie highlights her fashion choices, diplomatic engagements and the operations surrounding her Secret Service protection. Beckman said viewers also will see moments that capture the president's sense of humor. Ahead of the public theatrical release of the film next week, the president and first lady will attend a premiere on Thursday at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center by the Trump-appointed board of directors.  The first lady is also scheduled to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday to promote the film, Beckman added.  (Reporting by Bo Erickson; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Alistair Bell)

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By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON, Jan 23 (Reuters) – Grammy Award-winning opera star Renee Fleming has withdrawn from performances in May at the Kennedy Center, with her withdrawal coming during a wave of cancellations at the Washington institution since its takeover by President Donald Trump. A message on the Kennedy Center's website said Fleming, who had been scheduled to appear with the National Symphony Orchestra in May, had to withdraw "due to a scheduling conflict." WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Trump named himself chairman of the Kennedy Center and filled its board with his allies last year. In December the institution's board voted to rename it the Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, or Trump Kennedy Center for short. Since then, many groups and artists have withdrawn from the center, citing the Republican leader's takeover. Democrats, noting that the center's name was established by Congress, have said Trump's rebranding has no force of law. John F. Kennedy's family denounced the renaming move as undermining the slain president's legacy. KEY QUOTES "Renee Fleming regrets that, due to a scheduling conflict, she must withdraw from her May 2026 concerts with the NSO," the message on the institution's website said. "A new soloist and repertoire will be announced at a later date, and the remainder of the program remains unchanged." CONTEXT Last year, Fleming left her role as artistic adviser-at-large at the center, citing the departures of the institution's previous leadership. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington;)

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By Paul Sandle and Marie-Louise Gumuchian LONDON, Jan 23 (Reuters) – "Brand Beckham" always comes first, Brooklyn Beckham said in an outburst against his parents David and Victoria this week that shone a spotlight on the legal protections a growing number of famous families attach to their own names. The Instagram post by the eldest son of David and Victoria Beckham not only fuelled online gossip around the world but also highlighted a more unusual aspect of celebrity trademarks. UK filings show the names of David and Victoria's four children are registered as trademarks, with Victoria listed as owner in her capacity as a parent and guardian. Brooklyn's name was registered as a trademark in Britain in 2016, when he was 17. Brooklyn's registration, covering beauty, cosmetics, clothing, toys and entertainment and other classes, according to the UK Intellectual Property Office, will expire in December. WHAT IS THE TRADEMARK DISPUTE ABOUT? In his post, Brooklyn said that ahead of his 2022 marriage to Nicola Peltz, daughter of U.S. billionaire and activist investor Nelson Peltz, his parents had pressured "me into signing away the rights to my name". He said his family valued "public promotion and endorsements above all else. Brand Beckham comes first."  Brooklyn has not elaborated on what he was asked to sign and his parents' representatives have not responded to requests to comment from Reuters and do not appear to have spoken on the issue. In February that year, Authentic Brands Group entered a strategic partnership to co-own and manage David Beckham's brand. It is not clear if Brooklyn's trademark was involved. Celebrities have long trademarked their names for spinoff products and the practice has increased with the rise of endorsements and social media to prevent others profiting from their names without permission. Disputes over such trademarks are not uncommon. Australian singer Kylie Minogue opposed efforts by U.S. reality television star Kylie Jenner to trademark "Kylie" for commercial use, citing prior use and the risk of consumer confusion. Minogue later said the two reached an agreement. Singer Katy Perry has been in a years-long trademark battle with a Sydney-based fashion designer whose label uses her own birth name, "Katie Perry". WHAT ARE BROOKLYN'S OPTIONS? The Beckhams' multi-million-pound family business was built by David, the former England soccer captain who agreed a string of commercial deals while playing at Manchester United and Real Madrid in the 1990s and 2000s, and Victoria, a member of the Spice Girls, the UK's biggest pop group at the time. Victoria launched her own fashion label in 2008 and beauty brand in 2019 and the couple have each lent their names to multiple products, including collaborations with other brands. Their four children, Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper Seven, make frequent appearances at Victoria's fashion shows and online. Brooklyn and Romeo have collaborated with brands. Mark Engelman, an intellectual property barrister at Burnell Chambers, said registering a trademark was relatively inexpensive. "If (the children) do well, they can earn money from selling products or licensing the name to third parties," he said. Registering a trademark in Britain costs from 170 pounds ($230), plus 50 pounds for each additional class, and lasts 10 years. In the United States, fees start at around $350. James Corlett, managing partner at law firm Beyond Corporate Law, said trademarking children's names for future commercial use was unusual but not unprecedented. "You're talking about two very famous individuals throughout the '90s and noughties in particular, who came together to create essentially a powerhouse brand, which has obviously been protected by the use of trademarks," he said.  "They've been very savvy and astute with their use of trademarks. And I think the  registration of Brooklyn's name is merely an extension of that." Corlett said Brooklyn, who is now aged 26, could seek to oppose any re-registration or extension of the family's trademark of his name when the renewal comes up.  If the name had not been actively used, he could challenge a renewal or apply for a trademark he could exploit independently. "That's where things get potentially very interesting," he said. "The key element of Brooklyn's name is the 'Beckham' part of it, which would potentially conflict with the existing Beckham registrations." Any dispute could ultimately be resolved through negotiation, potentially limiting Brooklyn's use of his name in core "Brand Beckham" categories such as fashion or fragrance, he added. Brooklyn already signalled a shift by adding Peltz to his surname after his marriage. He uses the name in marketing his Cloud23 hot sauce, signing endorsements with the initials "BPB". (Reporting by Paul Sandle and Marie-Louise Gumuchian; editing by Rachel Armstrong and Philippa Fletcher)

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(Fixes date in dateline to January 23) By Bo Erickson WASHINGTON, Jan 23 (Reuters) – First lady Melania Trump will host a private White House screening on Saturday of a new film documenting her life in the 20 days leading up to President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, an adviser said. The movie, "Melania," is set for a global release on January 30. Saturday's showing will be the first time the president, her family and close friends see the film in full, said Marc Beckman, the first lady’s outside adviser and agent. The film offers rare behind-the-scenes access to the first lady, who has kept a low public profile during her husband’s second term. The trailer opens on Inauguration Day in January 2025, showing her donning a navy wide-brimmed hat for the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. It also depicts her role as an adviser to the president, including a moment in which she encourages him to emphasize “peacemaker and unifier” in his inaugural address. Beckman, who produced the film, oversaw the $40 million movie deal with Amazon's MGM Studios, plus a follow-up documentary series set for release later this year focusing on some of Melania Trump's priorities, including children in foster care.  "This is not a political film at all," Beckman said in an interview, adding that the first lady spearheaded the film's creative direction. The movie highlights her fashion choices, diplomatic engagements and the operations surrounding her Secret Service protection. Beckman said viewers also will see moments that capture the president's sense of humor. Ahead of the public theatrical release of the film next week, the president and first lady will attend a premiere on Thursday at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center by the Trump-appointed board of directors.  The first lady is also scheduled to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday to promote the film, Beckman added.  (Reporting by Bo Erickson; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Alistair Bell)

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