Culture

Anti-China sentiment on the rise; Italy slowly emerging from lockdown; Pandemic exposes the 'violence of social inequality'

May 04, 2020

The Trump administration is continuing to ramp up its combative language on China and the coronavirus pandemic. An internal report in China suggests global anti-China sentiment is at its highest since the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. Also, Italy, one of the hardest hit countries by COVID-19, has begun lifting lockdown restrictions. And, Long Distance Art, an international, multidisciplinary collaborative art series that grew out of the The Social Distancing Festival, has launched.

Coronavirus Art

During social distancing, artists collaborate on 'Long Distance Art'

The World

May 01, 2020

Long Distance Art, which launched this week, is an international, multidisciplinary collaborative art series with The Social Distancing Festival. Artists can inquire about collaborating with another artist they’ve seen on the site, or have the creator pair them up with another artist of his choosing.

COVID-19: The latest from The World

Swedish town uses chicken manure to disperse crowds — and stop spread of coronavirus

Reuters

April 30, 2020

Swedish gardeners are turning to chicken manure to dissuade would-be revelers from gathering in Lund for Walpurgis Night.

Obituary

Actor Irrfan Khan, star of 'Life of Pi, 'Slumdog Millionaire,' dies at 53

Reuters

April 29, 2020

Irrfan Khan, an Indian actor who brought versatility and style to recent hit films and had roles in Hollywood movies such as "Life of Pi" and "The Namesake" and "Slumdog Millionaire," died on Wednesday, aged 53.

COVID-19: The latest from The World

Fires, orchestras, parachutes. Some other ways to describe coronavirus — besides war.

The World

April 28, 2020

If you think the war metaphor is being overused, you’re not alone. But why is this kind of rhetoric such a go-to for world leaders? And should we consider other metaphors?

Culture

'Stay home or dance with us': Ghana's dancing pallbearers urge social distancing

The World

April 28, 2020

In the time of the coronavirus, Ghana's dancing pallbearers appear to have struck an especially popular — albeit macabre — chord.

COVID-19: The latest from The World

Corona Diaries: Open-source project chronicles pandemic life via voice notes

The World

April 27, 2020

With much of the world still under lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic, many are turning to their diaries to document this incredible time. Now, fellows from Harvard’s Nieman Foundation for Journalism have teamed up with a sound artist and developer to create the "Corona Diaries" — an open-source audio project where anyone can contribute their audio story.

Arts, Culture & Media

Amid pandemic, Animal Crossing gamers create dreamy ‘islands,’ travel and mingle with friendly (and really cute) animal neighbors

The World

April 24, 2020

As the coronavirus continues to upend the lives of people around the world, many are using the simulation game to live out experiences and routines disrupted by the pandemic — and for a sense of normalcy and connection.

COVID-19: The latest from The World

How do you stop the spread of misinformation?

The World

April 22, 2020

Stephan Lewandowsky, a cognitive scientist at the University of Bristol, speaks with The World's Marco Werman about how societies can combat misinformation — particularly around the coronavirus and climate change.

Books

From Mexico, tales of a Russian socialite and a small-town witch

The World

April 21, 2020

Two novels published in English this spring show the broad landscape of Mexican literature today.

Pages