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Malian singer Traore to be freed from jail in Belgian custody case

Malian singer Rokia Traore will be released from custody in Belgium, after striking a deal with her ex-partner over a child custody dispute, lawyers said Wednesday.

LA fires could boost US Oscar hopefuls: 'Emilia Perez' director

The fires that have devastated Los Angeles bode badly for foreign entries in this year's Oscars, the French director of the acclaimed Spanish-language musical "Emilia Perez" told AFP on the eve of the nominations.

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Golden Globes ratings edge up past 10 million

The Golden Globes drew more than 10 million TV viewers to post a small audience increase from the previous year, producers said Monday, after a well-received show in which "Emilia Perez" and "The Brutalist" scored big wins.

Zendaya and Tom Holland engaged: US media

"Spider-Man" co-stars Zendaya and Tom Holland are engaged, US media reported Monday, the day after she was spotted wearing a huge diamond ring.

Small Uruguayan town seeks place on international art map

In a chapel in sleepy rural Uruguay, wooden pews have been replaced by a sound sculpture made of resonance boxes and rubber mallets.

European leaders hit back in Elon Musk meddling row

European leaders expressed growing frustration with tech billionaire Elon Musk on Monday, as a major row escalated between members of Britain's government and US president-elect Donald Trump's key ally.

'Emilia Perez,' 'The Brutalist' win at diverse Golden Globes

Surreal narco-musical "Emilia Perez" and epic immigrant drama "The Brutalist" were the big winners at the Golden Globes on Sunday, as prizes were shared widely across an international crop of movies at the year's first major showbiz awards gala.

Hollywood stars glitter at Golden Globes

Hollywood's top stars on Sunday made their first major fashion statements of this year's awards season at the Golden Globes, and the looks did not disappoint.

Golden Globes gala kicks off with 'Emilia Perez' leading favorites

The Golden Globes got under way in Beverly Hills on Sunday, with surreal narco-musical "Emilia Perez" among a crowded field of movies vying to win big at the year's first major showbiz awards gala.

Hollywood A-listers hit the carpet for Golden Globes

Hollywood's best and brightest from film and television began arriving on the red carpet Sunday for the Golden Globes, the year's first major showbiz awards gala, with surreal narco-musical "Emilia Perez" leading the movie pack.

'Mufasa' roars to top of N.America box office

Disney's animated drama "Mufasa: The Lion King" reigned over North America's box office this weekend, surpassing "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" to start the new year with an estimated $23.8 million take, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

Spinning a tune: Chinese scientist names new spider species after pop songs

A Chinese scientist has named 16 new spider species after songs by popular "Mandopop" musician Jay Chou.

10 years after attack, Charlie Hebdo is uncowed and still provoking

French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo is set to publish a special God-mocking edition next week to mark 10 years since an attack on its offices by jihadist gunmen that left eight staff members dead.

Neil Young dumps Glastonbury alleging 'BBC control'

Folk legend Neil Young has pulled out of this year's Glastonbury music festival, alleging it has fallen under "the corporate control" of its partner the BBC.

'I'm Still Here': an ode to Brazil resistance

"I'm Still Here," Brazil's hope for Oscars glory, focuses on the country's military dictatorship years (1965-1985) but is also very much "a film about the present," its lead actress Fernanda Torres told AFP.

Palestinian Authority suspends Al Jazeera broadcasts

The Palestinian Authority on Wednesday ordered the suspension of broadcasts by the Qatar-based Al Jazeera across the Palestinian territories, accusing the network of airing "inciting content", official media reported.

BBC celebrates 100 years of 'poetic' shipping forecast

The BBC on Wednesday celebrates 100 years of a weather forecast for sailors in British waters that has inspired musicians and poets and become an immovable fixture on UK radio.

German leaders hit back at Musk's support for far right

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his deputy hit back Tuesday at Elon Musk's support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, as the billionaire continued intervening in the country's politics.

Celebrated S.African contemporary dancer Dada Masilo dies aged 39

The dance world mourned Tuesday the internationally acclaimed South African dancer and choreographer Dada Masilo, who died in hospital at the weekend aged 39.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt reach divorce settlement

Famed actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie signed off on a divorce settlement Monday, according to US media, marking a turning point in the eight-year legal saga.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt reach divorce settlement: report

Famed actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie signed off on a divorce settlement Monday, according to People Magazine, marking a turning point in the eight-year legal saga.

World greets 2025 after sweltering year of Olympics, turmoil, and Trump

Crowds will marvel at fireworks and toast champagne to greet 2025 on Tuesday, waving goodbye to a year that brought Olympic glory, a dramatic Donald Trump return, and turmoil in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Venezuela fines TikTok $10 million over viral challenge deaths

Venezuela's highest court on Monday fined TikTok $10 million in connection with viral challenges that authorities say left three adolescents dead from intoxication by chemical substances.

German security chiefs to face questions over Christmas market attack

German security and intelligence chiefs are due on Monday to face questioning about the car-ramming attack that killed five people and wounded more than 200 at a Christmas market 10 days ago.

Both 'Mufasa' and 'Sonic' claim N.America box office supremacy

The holiday weekend in North America saw two films battling for box-office supremacy and both emerging with a claim to first place.

Glitzy Calabar Carnival wraps up tough year in Nigeria

Revellers dressed in glitzy, colourful costumes danced down the streets of Calabar, southern Nigeria, this weekend as giant speakers blasted out Afrobeats for one of west Africa's most prestigious carnivals.

UNESCO-listed musical instrument stifled in Afghanistan

Wood shavings littered the floor of Sakhi's cramped workshop in the Afghan city of Herat as another rubab, the national musical instrument of his homeland, took shape under his deft hands.

'Romeo and Juliet' star Olivia Hussey dies aged 73

Olivia Hussey, who starred as a teenage Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 film "Romeo and Juliet," garnering her a Golden Globe, died Friday at age 73, her family announced.

Pope calls for 'arms to be silenced' in Christmas appeal

Pope Francis called Wednesday for "arms to be silenced" around the world in his Christmas address, appealing for peace in the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan as he denounced the "extremely grave" humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Pope kicks off Christmas under shadow of war

Christmas revellers around the world donned red and white Santa hats, offered meals to the homeless and lit candles on Wednesday, as Pope Francis launched observation of the global holiday with a sombre mass in the Vatican.

As India's Bollywood shifts, stars and snappers click

From riding pillion on zooming motorbikes to round-the-clock airport stakeouts, India's celebrity-hunting paparazzi photographers have gone from "outcasts" to becoming a key part of Bollywood's vast film industry machine.

US agency focused on foreign disinformation shuts down

A leading US government agency that tracks foreign disinformation has terminated its operations, the State Department said Tuesday, after Congress failed to extend its funding following years of Republican criticism.

How Finnish youth learn to spot disinformation

Finland is consistently ranked as Europe's most media literate country and the skills needed to spot online hoaxes are on the school curriculum, amidst a boom of mis- and disinformation campaigns.

Support grows for Blake Lively over smear campaign claim

A chorus of support is growing behind actress Blake Lively after she filed a complaint alleging sexual harassment and a smear campaign against "It Ends With Us" co-star Justin Baldoni.

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