NEW YORK (AP) ― Twenty years ago, actor Andrew McCarthy read a book about walking the Camino de Santiago, the ancient pilgrimage route in Spain, and it inspired him to walk the Camino himself.“That sort of changed the way I felt in the world and it helped me stop being afraid of the world,’’ recalled McCarthy, 49. “It helped me realize travelqs obliterate fear.’’McCarthy, whose best-known films include his work as part of Hollywood’s “Brat Pack’’ in “Pretty in Pink’’ and “St. Elmo’s Fire,’’ is n

First MothersBy Beverly Gherman and Julie Downing (Clarion)It’s no secret that mothers shape their children’s lives. Even if you are president of the United States, Mom still thinks of you as her baby. First Mothers by Beverly Gherman and Julie Downing tells about some of the odd and interesting natures of the women who, in a roundabout way, helped shape this country.Barbara Pierce Bush, mother of George W. Bush, worried about her weight until she was an adult. When her husband ran for president

Telegraph AvenueBy Michael Chabon (Harper)One of the great boundary-defying outlaws of contemporary American fiction, Michael Chabon revels in high culture and low. He’s as likely to write about comic books (“The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay”) as the mysteries and snares of the literary life (“Wonder Boys”). He has written a Harry-Potteresque novel for young readers (“Summerland”) and a grown-up detective tale (“The Yiddish Policemen’s Union”). Whatever the subject or genre, the languag

David Byrne is, to use one of his favorite words, a context unto himself. Founding member of Talking Heads, he blew up the concept of that band at least three times before disbanding it in 1988 for good.By then, he was already a film director, artist and composer, working on projects such as Robert Wilson’s 1985 “The Knee Plays” and Twyla Tharp’s 1981 ballet “The Catherine Wheel.”In the years since, he has created his own world music record label, written movie soundtracks and published half a d

Korean fashion designers captured the eyes of the world’s fashion capital at a presentation held during the Paris Fashion Week spring/summer 2013 collections, which kicked off on Tuesday. Ten Korean designers showed their collections at Seoul’s 10 Soul event held at Ecole de Beaux-Arts, a prestigious art school in Paris, on Wednesday evening. A total of 30 models gave a live presentation against sculptural walls as a backdrop at the event attended by more than 700 people, including reporters and

Known as the Korean Thanksgiving, Chuseok signifies the coming of autumn and is a time to spend with family and loved ones. Seoul offers many events and activities during the Chuseok holiday for both locals and foreigners alike to enjoy. These range from experiencing the traditional side of Korean culture and society, to finding that special someone to spend the upcoming holiday season with. For those looking to spend the Korean holiday looking for love, “Chicken n’ Chips” bar in Gangnam is host

BOSTON (AP) ― A 6-year-old girl whose love for Justin Bieber encouraged physicians and nurses at a Boston hospital to organize a pretend wedding to the pop star as she battled a rare brain cancer has died.The family of Avalanna Routh ― who called herself Mrs. Bieber ― said on their Twitter account that she died Wednesday morning. “Oh Avalanna, the brightest star ― you took our hearts with you, our greatest Love,” the family wrote. During the pretend wedding, Avalanna held a yellow, green and pur

CHICAGO (AFP) ― American crooner Andy Williams, whose string of hits like “Moon River” and annual Christmas TV shows made him a national treasure, has died aged 84 after losing his battle with cancer.Wildly popular in the 1960s, with 18 gold and three platinum records to his name, the clean-cut master of easy listening and the sentimental soundtrack signed what at the time was the biggest U.S. recording contract.“Legendary singer Andy Williams passed away last night (Tuesday) at home in Branson,

Lotte Hotel president and chief executive Song Yong-dok received a top tourism industry award for enhancing the national brand image of Korea by opening the first Korean brand hotel in Moscow.Song was granted the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit at the annual Tourism Day Ceremony on Thursday in Seoul. Song was named the CEO of Lotte Hotel in February in recognition of his achievements in getting Lotte Hotel Moscow in a stable position within a year and a half of its opening. Lotte Ho

Christian churches in Korea have kept an unusual, anti-democratic and unfair system for decades ― the practice of hereditary succession or “seseup,” just like the father-to-son power transition that occurs in conglomerate groups.This unnatural process has allowed some commanding pastors at the top mega-churches to turn over their leadership to their children. The proponents of the practice have claimed that the system is necessary to ensure church stability and security. However, this seseup tra