• Japanese author Haruki Murakami has a remedy for those who need relaxation from stress and worries in a pandemic -- bossa nova. "As we are going through a time of anxiety, I hope to help you relax even just a little bit," The 72-year-old Murakami said as he hosted a live music event, "Murakami Jam -- Blame it on the Bossa Nova," bringing together renowned Japanese performers of bossa nova, jazz and classical music. Despite the pandemic, Murakami -- known for bestsellers including "A Wild Sheep Chase," "The Wind-up Bird Chronicle" and "1Q84" -- said he still maintains a daily routine including running and writing, but the frequent world traveler has stayed in Japan. Murakami, who on his radio show has expressed concern about prejudice and discrimination against coronavirus patients, said he finds that the rhythm of bossa nova has a healing effect. "I think good music is something that heals people and fires up your kindness," he said. During Sunday's approximately two-hour show, he recited his 1982 short story "The 1963/1982 Girl from Ipanema," in which a narrator details his memory of his meeting with a metaphysical girl from the song, with live guitar performed by his guest Kaori Muraji. The show, also featuring bossa nova artist Ono Lisa, jazz pianists Junko Onishi and Yosuke Yamashita and singer Miu Sakamoto, was held at Tokyo FM hall with just 100 fans chosen by a lottery and is viewable online until Feb. 24.
• Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be speaking with Oprah Winfrey, their first major television interview since quitting royal duties and buying a home last year in the U.S. The 90-minute "Oprah With Meghan and Harry: A CBS Primetime Special" will air March 7, CBS announced Monday. Winfrey knows the couple well. She attended their wedding in 2018 and lives near them in Montecito, Calif. "Winfrey will speak with Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, in a wide-ranging interview, covering everything from stepping into life as a Royal, marriage, motherhood, philanthropic work to how she is handling life under intense public pressure," according to CBS. "Later, the two are joined by Prince Harry as they speak about their move to the United States and their future hopes and dreams for their expanding family." On Sunday, a spokesperson for Meghan and Harry confirmed that they were expecting a second child. Their first son, Archie, was born in 2019.