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Ryu Murakami, the cult Japanese author and film-maker whose subversive, blackly comic novels found millions of readers, has died aged 74. He died on 17 October at home, according to his Japanese publisher Gentosha. Described as the enfant terrible of contemporary Japanese literature, Murakami incorporated violence, explicit drug use and sex into stories that offered a sharp-eyed critique of Japanese and American culture. “It has been a huge privilege to bring many of Ryu Murakami’s strange, original and cinematic novels to an English-speaking audience,” said Adam Freudenheim, publisher and managing director at Pushkin Press, which, along with Bloomsbury, publishes Murakami’s works in translation in the UK. Murakami was the son of two teachers, born in Sasebo, Nagasaki prefecture, in 1952. During high school, he joined a rock band as a drummer, and after participating in a rooftop protest was placed under a three-month house arrest. He published his first novel, Almost Transparent Blue, in 1976. The book, written while he was still a student, is narrated by a character called Ryū, and depicts the hedonistic lifestyle of a group of disillusioned, nihilistic young people.

Dakota Johnson admitted to skipping this one particular grooming step while filming for “Fifty Shades of Grey,” putting the practice back in the spotlight.

There are few celebrity beauty signatures quite as enduring as Ariana Grande’s sky-high ponytail. Through the years, the singer has remained remarkably loyal to her lengths, whether swept up into a gravity-defying pony, styled into a sleek ballerina bun, or cascading down her back. Even her transformation into Glinda the Good Witch for Wicked, which saw her trade her familiar brunette shade for a dreamy, buttery blonde, kept strong on the silhouette. More recently, she returned to the brunette fold with a soft, malty brown. Now, though, Grande has made a rather more dramatic change. She’s chopped it all off. Photo: Instagram (@arianagrande)“The ponytail is taking a hiatus,” wrote hairstylist Brandon Pietsch on Instagram, alongside photos of the singer’s new look. Pietsch, who regularly works with Grande as well as Rose and Megan Fox, was responsible for both the cut and color: a sleek, jaw-grazing bob cut to one length with flicked-out ends, a deep side part, and a glossy chocolate-brown finish.

Prince William has made a surprise appearance on Graham Norton’s sofa, where he admits he’s a “big fan” of director Christopher Nolan and gameshow “The Traitors.” The episode, which was recorded on Thursday and will air in the U. K. on Friday, sees His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales (to give him his full title) grace the famous red sofa alongside Cate Blanchett, Hannah Waddingham and conservationist Robert Irwin.

Mercury retrograde is here, but don't freak out just yet. While this transit gets a bad rap, it's actually about to make life better for four zodiac signs. As of October 24, the planet of communication is moving backwards through Scorpio, bringing a lot of changes our way. Transformation is rarely easy, and we might have to make some hard decisions. But don't resist it! The more you embrace these changes, the better your life will get. 1. Scorpio Design: YourTangoGet ready, Scorpio. "This Mercury retrograde is going to help you tap back into your power like never before," an astrologer named May explained. This is your chance to level up, but don't expect it to happen overnight. In fact, for a while it might seem like nothing is happening at all. Use this time to reflect on what you really want.  Think about your goals and what makes you feel alive. Does your career spark joy? Do your relationships? Don't be afraid to let go of what no longer serves you. Part of life is outgrowing certain dreams and even people. That's OK. Your life gets a lot better when you let yourself change your mind.