Featured
Last news
Ruby slippers from 'The Wizard of Oz' up for auction
Ruby slippers worn by actress Judy Garland in classic film "The Wizard of Oz" will be sold at auction next month, nearly 20 years after they were stolen.
Chinese island plastic pollution turned into artistic omens
As storm clouds gathered on a forgotten beach in China's Miaodao islands, artist Fu Junsheng picked his way through piles of plastic waste washed up along the shoreline, looking for inspiration.
Hello Kitty owner plunges 17% on sharesale plan
Shares in the Japanese entertainment giant behind the popular Hello Kitty brand plunged on Wednesday after major shareholders said they would reduce their stakes.
Hand-built fantasy tower brings value to Tokyo, creator says
Passers-by stop and stare at the ramshackle, hand-built concrete tower that looks like it has been lifted right out of a Japanese animation and dropped onto a real-life Tokyo street.
'American Railroad' musical project showcases untold immigrant stories
The Grammy- and Pulitzer-winning artist Rhiannon Giddens has long made music that sheds light on America's untold stories, and her latest project brings to the fore marginalized groups that built its railroad.
Rod Stewart to play Glastonbury legends slot
British rock star Rod Stewart is set to play the coveted legends slot at Glastonbury next year, over two decades after he headlined the iconic music festival, the organisers said Tuesday.
Social media firms raise 'serious concerns' over Australian U-16 ban
Australia's proposal to ban under-16s from social media platforms is "rushed", social media companies claimed Tuesday, expressing "serious concerns" about potential unintended consequences.
Bestselling 'Woman of Substance' author Barbara Taylor Bradford dies aged 91
Bestselling British-American writer Barbara Taylor Bradford, whose first novel "A Woman of Substance" turned her into an overnight success, has died aged 91, a spokeswoman said on Monday.
Notre Dame inspired Americans' love and help after fire
Through an avalanche of giving in amounts from $10 to $10 million, Americans have proved their love for Paris's Notre Dame cathedral, mobilizing to support the rebirth of a monument they hold dear.
'Gladiator II', 'Wicked' battle for N. American box office honors
Hollywood got respite from a slack few months as two much-anticipated new films -- Universal's "Wicked: Part I" and "Gladiator II" from Paramount -- roared to the top of the North American box office this weekend.
Breyten Breytenbach, writer who challenged apartheid, dies at 85
South African writer and anti-apartheid activist Breyten Breytenbach died on Sunday in Paris at the age of 85, his daughter told AFP.
Germany goes nuts for viral pistachio chocolate
When Ali Fakhro lays out a row of pistachio-filled chocolate bars in the morning at his bakery in Berlin, he knows they will be gone in a matter of hours.
Basel votes to stump up bucks to host Eurovision
Basel voters on Sunday overwhelmingly approved the city putting up nearly $40 million towards hosting next year's Eurovision Song Contest, meaning the glitzy annual TV extravaganza will go ahead with its full customary pomp.
Iran director in exile says 'bittersweet' to rep Germany at Oscars
Forced to flee Iran, dissident director Mohammad Rasoulof says it is bittersweet that his latest movie will contend at the Oscars -- under the banner of another country.
Chinese film about Covid-19 wins Taiwan's top Golden Horse prizes
A Chinese film set during the Covid-19 pandemic won the top prizes in Taiwan's prestigious Golden Horse Awards, which saw the highest number of entries from China in recent years despite political tensions.
Kendrick Lamar drops surprise new album
Rap superstar Kendrick Lamar surprised fans on Friday with the unannounced release of a 12-track album.
Alarm in France over fate of detained French-Algerian writer
Alarm grew in France on Friday over the fate of a prominent French-Algerian novelist detained in the country of his birth, with his publisher urging his immediate release and President Emmanuel Macron closely following the case.
Amazon invests another $4 bn in AI firm Anthropic
Amazon is doubling its investment in Anthropic to $8 billion in a deepened collaboration on artificial intelligence, the companies said Friday.
Rare Caravaggio shown to public for first time in Rome exhibition
A rarely seen painting by Italian master Caravaggio, part of a private collection, is going on display to the public for the first time in an exhibition in Rome.
Manchester attack survivors lose bid to sue intel agencies
More than 300 people affected by the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing on Friday lost their bid to sue Britain's domestic intelligence services for failing to take "appropriate measures" to prevent the attack.
Conductor Elim Chan wants to shake up 'dinosaur' orchestras
Since her first brush with fame a decade ago, Hong Kong-born conductor Elim Chan has fought a "long-term battle" against tired assumptions about herself, music and how orchestras should be run.
'Shrek' director tackles taboo in Netflix fairy tale 'Spellbound'
Animated films tackling parent separation and divorce are few and far between.
Fairuz, musical icon of war-torn Lebanon, turns 90
Legendary Arab singer Fairuz, whose ballads have told of love, her native Lebanon and the Palestinian cause, turned 90 on Thursday as her conflict-weary country is wracked by the Israel-Hezbollah war.
'World of Warcraft' still going strong as it celebrates 20 years
As it celebrates its 20th birthday, online video game "World of Warcraft" has demonstrated a rare longevity thanks to its loyal following and constant evolutions.
Australian eyes $30m fine for social media flouting under-16s ban
Social media companies could be fined more than US$30 million if they fail to keep children off their platforms, under new laws tabled before Australia's parliament Thursday.
Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone to headline Coachella 2025
Lady Gaga, Green Day and Post Malone will headline 2025's Coachella music and arts festival, organizers said Wednesday, while Travis Scott will play a special guest slot.
Gl-icked? Movie theaters pin hopes on big 'Wicked,' 'Gladiator' weekend
US movie theaters are hoping the lightning-in-a-bottle magic of last year's "Barbenheimer" phenomenon can strike again this weekend, with the simultaneous release of two of 2024's most hyped films: "Wicked" and "Gladiator II."
One Direction stars attend Liam Payne's funeral in UK
Family and friends of One Direction star Liam Payne, who died last month after falling from a Buenos Aires hotel room, gathered for his funeral in Britain on Wednesday.
Star K-pop producer of NewJeans quits after legal spat with BTS agency
The South Korean superproducer behind the chart-topping girl band NewJeans resigned from her label Wednesday, following a protracted legal battle with BTS's agency HYBE that has rocked the country's K-pop industry.
Japan's manga powerhouse 'Dragon Ball' turns 40
"Dragon Ball" fans on Wednesday celebrated 40 years of the globally beloved Japanese manga, anime and video game franchise, just months after creator Akira Toriyama's unexpected death.
Lights, action, melodrama! Silent films get new reel at London haven
The black and white silent movie flickered into life as the pianist started up with a dramatic flourish. Cue the latest exploits of daring master criminal "Three-Fingered Kate".
'Rust' to premiere three years after on-set shooting
The Western "Rust" will get its world premiere on Wednesday at a Polish film festival, three years on from a shock on-set shooting that killed the cinematographer.