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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

People: Street artist Banksy takes swipe at France on migrant crisis

People take photos on their phones of a new artwork by British artist Banksy opposite the French Embassy in London, Monday, Jan. 25, 2016. The artwork depicts the young girl from the musical “Les Miserables” with tears streaming from her eyes as a can of CS gas lies beneath her. The work is criticizing the use of teargas in the refugee camp in Calais. (Alastair Grant / Associated Press)
From wire reports

The street artist Banksy has taken a swipe at French authorities for their handling of the migrant crisis in Calais, placing a drawing of the child featured on posters for the musical “Les Miserables” surrounded by tear gas.

The elusive street artist placed the mural near the French Embassy in London. His publicist, Jo Brooks, confirmed Monday that the work was genuine.

The work contains an interactive image that links to a video that shows police using tear gas in a Calais raid.

It’s not the street artist’s first criticism of France. Last month, he tried to underscore the potential of migrants by depicting the late Steve Jobs – whose biological father was from Syria – carrying a black garbage bag and an early model of the Macintosh computer.

Fey, Poehler honoring Burnett at SAGs

A triumvirate of women in comedy is appearing at the Screen Actors Guild Awards next week.

Producers announced Monday that Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will present the guild’s Life Achievement Award to Carol Burnett at Saturday’s ceremony in Los Angeles.

The prize is given annually to an actor who embodies the “finest ideals of the profession,” including professional and humanitarian achievements.

Burnett’s trophy shelf is already crowded with multiple Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Mark Twain Prize for Humor and a Kennedy Center Honor. The 82-year-old entertainer joins previous SAG Life Achievement Award winners such as Elizabeth Taylor, George Burns, Sidney Poitier, Ernest Borgnine, Betty White and James Earl Jones.

The birthday bunch

Actress Anne Jeffreys is 93. Cartoonist Jules Feiffer is 87. Sportscaster-actor Bob Uecker is 81. Actor Scott Glenn is 77. Activist Angela Davis is 72. Actor David Strathairn is 67. Alt-country singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams is 63. Rock singer-musician Eddie Van Halen is 61. Actress-comedian-talk show host Ellen DeGeneres is 58. Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky is 55. Musician Andrew Ridgeley is 53. Gospel singer Kirk Franklin is 46. Actor Nate Mooney (“American Odyssey,” “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia”) is 44.