Culture

Black American women living in communities with high poverty rates are significantly less likely to be screened for cervical cancer, a study finds. The Harvard School of Public Health's Geetanjali Dabral Datta investigated the relationship between individual characteristics and larger socioeconomic factors and cervical cancer screening rates. The Febreuary 1 issue of Cancer carries the study. More than 40,000 black women from across the United States participated in the Black Women's Health Study. "African-American women have twice the morta

On Friday Warner Music Group announced that it had been subpoenaed by the office of New York Attorney-General Eliot Spitzer to provide information about digital music download pricing. It has been reported that Sony BMG Music Entertainment and Vivendi Universal have also received subpoenas. The subpoenas are thought to be connected to an antitrust investigation being carried out by New York Attorney-General Eliot Spitzer. The investigation is believed to be looking at whether Warner, Sony BMG, EMG and Universal have colluded to set wholesale s

The well-known character actor, Vincent Schiavelli has died at his home in Polizzi Generosa, Sicily. He was 57. Schiavelli appeared in more than 120 films and television shows including the movie "Ghost" where he played opposite Patrick Swayze. He was selected in 1997 by Vanity Fair as one of the best character actors in the United States. Vincent Schiavelli could do with a glance what many actors work a lifetime to perfect. Schiavelli had the countenance of one of Dali's melting clocks, the hooded eyes of a mobster and the smile of someone w

A Fiesta Season of two weeks begins in Colombia in December 25 with the Feria de Cali followed by the Feria de Manizales and the Carnival of Blacks and Whites in Pasto. The 48th Feria de Cali Begins at 1:00 pm in the city of Cali and the opening ceremony includes a Cabalgata, (Horseriding Parade). During the Feria, there will be bullfighting events and shows, salsa and Caribbean music concerts until December 30. This year concerts will include renowned salsa artists such as Jonny Pacheco, Sergio Vargas, Jose Feliciano, Carlos Vives, Sonora C

John Spencer, who played vice presidential candidate Leo McGarry on NBC's "The West Wing," died of a heart attack Friday, his publicist said. Spencer, 58, died at a Los Angeles hospital, said publicist Ron Hofmann. Hofmann released no other immediate details. Spencer's work on the show earned him an Emmy Award for supporting actor in a drama series in 2002, as well as a Golden Globe nomination. Before appearing on the hit political drama, Spencer played the quirky and charismatic New York attorney Tommy Mullaney on "L.A. Law."

The smash hit "Demon Days" from cartoon concept band Gorillaz has been nominated for 5 Grammy Awards: Record Of The Year, "Feel Good, Inc." Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals, "Feel Good, Inc." Best Urban/Alternative Performance, "Dirty Harry" Producer Of The Year, Danger Mouse "Demon Days" Best Short Form Music Video, "Feel Good, Inc." The other nominations for Record of the Year are "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey, "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams" by Green Day, "Hollaback Girl" by Gwen Stefani, and "Gold Digger" by Kanye West.

Comedian, Richard Pryor, died today after a 19-year battle with multiple sclerosis, aged just 65. He was pronounced dead of cardiac arrest at 8:00 a.m. local time in a hospital near his home. He is survived by his wife Jennifer Lee Pryor; along with his six children, Richard Junior, Elizabeth Storder, Rain Kindlin, Kelsey, Steven and Franklin Mason, and his three grandchildren Pryor appeared in over 40 films and won Grammy awards for his comedy albums.

David Cameron has been elected the new leader of the United Kingdom Conservative Party, beating off his rival David Davis by a factor of two to one in a postal ballot of the nationwide party membership. The thirty-nine year old has said he is committed to an agenda of reform within his party, characterised by his 'Change to Win' leadership campaign.

The United States Coast Guard is currently searching still for the downed Beechcraft twin-engine plane piloted by philanthropist George F. Baker III off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Air-traffic controllers lost radar contact with pilot during the afternoon, even though the pilot has just talked with them moments before. The plane also did not issue a distress signal. Weather is not believed to be a factor as visibility was above five miles.

Virginia Governor Mark Warner commuted the death sentence Tuesday of convicted murderer Robin Lovitt, preventing him from becoming the 1,000th person executed in the United States since the Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976. Lingering doubt over Lovitt's guilt was a key factor in Warner's decision. Lovitt's sentence has now been reduced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. This is the first time Warner has granted clemency in his four years in office. All eleven previous clemency petitions have been denied.

Pat Morita, nee Noriyuki Morita, who was best known for his work in the 1984 film The Karate Kid and its sequels, passed away on November 24. The cause of death is not yet confirmed, but was said to be natural. Pat started out at a stand-up comedian in the 1960s, and styled himself the "Hip Nip". "'Hip Nip' just sounds groovy," Morita said "A drummer laid it on me." His career took off, and he became a regular on the show Happy Days as "Arnold" of "Arnold's Restaurant" fame. He also acted in the show Mr. T and Tina which was an unsuccessful s

The American TV show Alias will end in May 2006 after five seasons, ABC said Wednesday. No reason for the cancellation has been given. Alias stars Jennifer Garner as top secret CIA agent Sydney Bristow. Garner has won a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild award for her performances in the show. Alias currently airs Thursdays at 8:00 PM EST on ABC. This has led to a drop in ratings as it is opposite CBS' popular reality TV show Survivor: Guatemala. Last season Alias averaged 10.3 million viewers per week according to Nielsen Media Researc