Author: NY TIMES

The top prize at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival was given to “Dahomey,” a documentary by the French filmmaker Mati Diop about 26 looted artworks that were returned to Benin from France in 2021.The unconventional feature, narrated in part by the gravelly, imagined voice of one of the artworks, is a playful exploration of the legacy of colonialism and the interplay between history and identity in present-day Benin. It is Diop’s first feature since “Atlantics,” a drama about Senegalese migrants that won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019.In Diop’s acceptance speech for the prize, known…

The Biden administration’s reversal of Trump-era policy on settlements in the occupied West Bank reflects not just its rising frustration with Israel, but the political bind the president finds himself in, just days before the Democratic primary in Michigan, where a large Arab American population is urging voters to register their anger by voting “uncommitted.”During a trip to Argentina on Friday, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken called any new settlements “inconsistent with international law,” a break with policy set under the Trump administration and a return to the decades-long U.S. position.The Biden administration is increasingly fed up with the…

The forecasts are anything but optimistic: The best Ukraine can hope for in 2024, many Western officials and analysts say, is to simply hold the line.Only a year ago, Ukraine was brimming with confidence. It had defied expectations, staving off Russia’s attempt to take over the country. Western nations, buoyed by Ukraine’s success, promised aid to help Ukrainians break through Russian lines.But the flow of much-needed weapons from allies into the country was unpredictable, and slow. Ukraine’s own domestic arms production was mired in bureaucracy, top military officials have said. And the command structure of the army was not changing…

No fue fácil. El lugar estaba abarrotado y era estresante, en ocasiones hostil e incluso violento. De vez en cuando, sin embargo, un desconocido expresaba su gratitud, lo que era como comer una cucharadita de polvo de oro, que aumentaba al instante mi sensación de autoestima.A veces, después de las horas de trabajo, los empleados comprábamos cerveza y nos quedábamos fuera, en la acera, bebiendo bajo una farola en penumbra. En nuestros días libres, un grupo organizaba un pícnic en el parque que había al final de la calle. Mi contribución solía consistir en sidra y tortilla, otros traían dulces…

Just before the Russian-Ukrainian war reached its two-year milestone today, U.S. intelligence agencies warned that Russia might aim a nuclear weapon at an unusual target: not any place on Earth, but satellites orbiting in space.Putting a weapon into orbit is not just a military threat. It’s also a risk to the space economy — and the one on the ground. There is a little-known but fast-growing industry that insures satellites, but it doesn’t provide insurance against nuclear arms.What’s at stake: hundreds of billions (and probably trillions) of dollars when including the services that rely on satellites, according to David Wade,…

With the moviegoing experience under threat from streaming services and ever-improving home entertainment options, a group with a passionate interest in its preservation — three dozen filmmakers who create their works for the big screen, to be enjoyed in the company of large audiences — has decided to do something about it.The group of directors, led by Jason Reitman — whose films include “Juno,” “Up in the Air” and “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” — announced Wednesday that it had bought the Village Theater in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, which was put up for sale last summer to the concern of…

The United States and Britain carried out another round of large-scale military strikes Saturday against multiple sites in Yemen controlled by Houthi militants, two U.S. officials said.The strikes were intended to degrade the Iran-backed militants’ ability to attack ships in sea lanes that are critical for global trade, a campaign they have carried out for almost four months.American and British warplanes hit missile systems, launchers and other targets, the officials said. The strikes were the largest salvo since the allies struck Houthi targets on Feb. 3 and came after a week in which the Houthis have launched attack drones and…

Madison Square Garden went very quiet when my face appeared on the giant screen above center court. The silence was noticeable. A few seconds earlier, Kenan Thompson’s face had brought down the house.It wasn’t like anyone gasped or got angry — no one seemed taken aback. It was just that no one knew who the hell I was. And why should they? I’m not famous. I had no right to be up there in the first place.Still, it was hard not to take it personally. Eighteen thousand people — New Yorkers, no less — had decided to silence their cheers.…

Reddit’s bet on RedditorsReddit is the latest company set to test the uncertain I.P.O. market, after the unprofitable social media company built around an avid community of newshounds, cryptocurrency devotees and reality TV fans filed to go public.The company is seeking a valuation of at least $5 billion and DealBook sifted through its prospectus to figure out its pitch to investors.Its army of users, big-name backers and its bet on artificial intelligence figure prominently. The company sees A.I. helping it turbocharge its ad-sales business and generate new licensing revenue. Reddit confirmed on Thursday that it had signed a deal with…

Rob Reiner was well aware that the Christian nationalist movement had achieved considerable political clout.But he didn’t realize just how much until he started producing the documentary “God & Country.”Inspired by Katherine Stewart’s book “The Power Worshippers,” the film gives voice to prominent Christian leaders concerned about not only what the movement is doing to the United States, but also to Christianity itself.“We saw the success that they had in being able to overturn Roe v. Wade in promoting very conservative judges that got onto the Supreme Court,” said Reiner, 76, who is adamant that the film is not meant…