Independent voices from the TWT Communities
Myanmar's first international literary festival opens Friday in Yangon, bringing together dozens of authors from around the world, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

The Sexiest Man Alive will soon be a sexy dad.
American singer-songwriter Jason Mraz mixed entertainment with education to become the first world-class entertainer in decades to perform in Myanmar, with a concert to raise awareness of human trafficking.
American singer-songwriter Jason Mraz mixed entertainment with education to become the first world-class entertainer in decades to perform in Myanmar, with a concert to raise awareness of human trafficking.

President Obama and his family will flip the switch for the 90th annual lighting of the National Christmas Tree.

Sarah Jessica Parker and Gerard Butler are adding to the star wattage at the Nobel Peace Prize concert.
Jason Mraz will make history next month when he performs in Myanmar to raise awareness about human trafficking.

Jane Lynch and John Leguizamo are joining a lineup that includes Jimmy Kimmel and Kristin Chenoweth to honor Ellen DeGeneres with the nation's top humor prize.
Tristan Prettyman, "Cedar + Gold" (EMI/Capitol)
Jimmy Kimmel, Kristin Chenoweth, Steve Harvey and Lily Tomlin have signed on to honor Ellen DeGeneres with tribute performances as she wins the nation's top humor prize.

Jimmy Kimmel, Kristin Chenoweth, Steve Harvey and Lily Tomlin have signed on to honor Ellen DeGeneres with tribute performances as she wins the nation's top humor prize.

Madonna has voiced hope that three feminist Russian rockers on trial for performing a "punk prayer" against Vladimir Putin are released soon.

When Lady Gaga launches her hotly anticipated "Born This Way Ball" world tour Friday on what is expected to be an elaborate castlelike stage, fans in Asia will be the first to see it.
When Lady Gaga launches her hotly anticipated "Born This Way Ball" world tour Friday on what is expected to be an elaborate castle-like stage, fans in Asia will be the first to see it.

Berenice Bejo, co-star of the hit French silent movie "The Artist," is to host the Cannes Film Festival's opening and closing ceremonies next month, the event's chairman told Agence France-Presse on Wednesday.
"I think the country is, at this time, downloading lots of new information from all around the world," he said. "I've always wanted my music to be here, [for] hope and celebration, peace, love and happiness. And so I'm delighted that my music can be a part of this big download that Myanmar is experiencing right now."
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Mraz said he was aware of the issue, but that if he didn't come to do the concert because someone else had asked him to protest another problem, then that would not help tackle the exploitation and human trafficking issue.