Obamas to headline festival United States

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were announced on Wednesday as headliners of South by Southwest, the celebrated showcase of cutting-edge technology, music and film.

He will be the first sitting president to appear at the annual conference. He will speak on March 11 about "civic engagement in the 21st century".

Miramax sold to Qatari group

Miramax, the independent Hollywood label behind cult movies such as Pulp Fiction (1994), was acquired by Qatar's beIN Media Group, the companies said on Wednesday. A consortium headed by Colony Capital bought Miramax Films and its 700-film library almost six years ago from the Walt Disney Co for about US$660 million (S$919 million). Producers Harvey and Bob Weinstein founded the studio, which was named for their parents, Miriam and Max, 37 years ago.