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Bob Dylan a contrast to 'narcissistic' modern stars, says biopic director

Bob Dylan's rich legacy of more than 50 albums is a counterpoint to "narcissistic" modern music focused on "me, me, me", the director of the recently released biopic about the singer told AFP.

Bamboo farm gets chopping for US zoo's hungry new pandas

On a snow-blanketed field in Virginia, a handful of workers were silent but for the groan of a chainsaw chopping through bamboo -- a delicacy for their furry clients down the road in the US capital of Washington.

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'One Million Years BC' actress Raquel Welch dies at 82

Raquel Welch, the US actress who became an international sex symbol after appearing in a deerskin bikini in "One Million Years BC," died Wednesday, her manager said. She was 82.

Pharrell, the pop mastermind joining Louis Vuitton

Pharrell Williams is the superstar behind scores of music's earworms, whose agelessness, sharp taste and forays into design have also made him a fixture on the fashion circuit for decades.

UK's Camilla to wear Queen Mary's Crown at May coronation

British Queen Consort Camilla will wear Queen Mary's Crown at her and King Charles III's coronation in early May, Buckingham Palace said on Tuesday.

Deep-sea mining noise pollution threatens whales: study

Scientists warned on Tuesday that controversial seabed mining could significantly threaten ocean ecosystems, especially blue whales and other cetaceans already stressed by shipping, pollution and climate change.

Sweden's king to undergo surgery next week

Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf is set to undergo a "surgical procedure" next week and will therefore postpone engagements scheduled for the second half of February, the Swedish Royal Court said Tuesday.

Cruise outshines Oscars rivals as Academy readies for award show

Tom Cruise lived up to his billing as the "last true movie star" as nearly 200 of this year's Oscar nominees gathered to celebrate -- and size up their competition -- at the Academy's boozy annual luncheon Monday.

South Africa's largest rhino farm puts itself up for sale

The owner of a huge South African rhino conservation farm, the world's largest, said Monday that it would be sold at auction in April because it could no longer afford to breed the endangered animals.

World's oldest dog Bobi, 30, is also one of the luckiest

Bobi, a 30-year-old guard dog who cheated death in his first days, is living out the end of his life as a celebrity in central Portugal after being declared the world's oldest dog ever.

Harry Styles sweeps board at Brit Awards, acknowledging 'privilege'

British singer Harry Styles won the top awards on Saturday at the UK's biggest popular music prizes, the Brit Awards, while acknowledging his "privilege" for triumphing in a supposedly gender-neutral category that featured no female artists.

Chile sees improved wildfires outlook

Chile's wildfire emergency, which has left 24 people dead and destroyed vast tracts of forest, is beginning to ease, authorities said Saturday.

Harry Styles and Beyonce favourites at Brit Awards

The UK's biggest popular music prizes, the Brit Awards, will be handed out Saturday evening, with singer and actor Harry Styles and US star Beyonce tipped for top prizes.

11 stranded pilot whales saved in Sri Lanka

Eleven pilot whales were saved on Saturday after they became stranded near the shore on Sri Lanka's west coast in the early hours, wildlife officials told AFP.

UK sale of Star Wars actor memorabilia dropped after widow's plea

A British auction house on Friday dropped the sale of "Star Wars" memorabilia once owned by actor Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca, after a public plea from his widow.

World Cup winner Scaloni leads FIFA 'Best' coach award shortlist

Argentina's World Cup-winning coach Lionel Scaloni, Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid and Manchester City's Pep Guardiola were named as FIFA's finalists for the 2022 'Best' coach of the year award on Thursday.

Nobel winner Mario Vargas Llosa joins Academie Francaise

Peruvian Nobel-winning author Mario Vargas Llosa was set to join the fabled Academie Francaise in Paris on Thursday, the first member never to have written a book in French.

Merkel receives UNESCO peace prize for welcoming refugees

Germany's former chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday received a prestigious UN award for opening her country to refugees during her time in office.

Denmark's queen to undergo 'serious' back operation

Denmark's beloved Queen Margrethe II, who at 82 is Europe's longest serving head of state, is to undergo a major back operation, the palace said on Wednesday.

Uganda wildlife numbers soar due to enhanced protection

Uganda's wildlife population has boomed over the past four decades, the wildlife minister said Wednesday, but warned more must be done to save declining species including lions and endangered chimpanzees.

UK's Royal Mail unveils first King Charles stamps

Britain's Royal Mail on Wednesday unveiled the first postage stamps to feature the image of King Charles III, following his ascension to the throne last September.

Tropical French territory battles green monkey invasion

French officials on the Caribbean island of Saint-Martin are seeking ways to battle an invasion of green monkeys, blamed for threatening the tropical tourism hotspot's fragile biodiversity, local authorities said.

Beyonce breaks record for lifetime Grammy wins

Pop queen Beyonce on Sunday reigned supreme at the Grammys, breaking the all-time record for wins with her 32nd prize and fourth of the night to resounding applause.

Grammys red carpet: bold colors, basic black, bling

Music's brightest stars on Sunday brought their fashion A-game to the Grammys red carpet, strutting their stuff in bold colors, slinky styles, major bling and barely-there gowns.

Beyonce, Adele duel for top honors at Grammys

As music's elite gather in Los Angeles for the Grammy awards on Sunday, one question is playing on loop: Will Beyonce finally win the coveted Album of the Year prize?

Endangered monarch butterflies face perilous storm

As devastating storms pounded California, nature lovers feared for endangered monarch butterflies that winter there as part of a seemingly magical migration pattern.

Anitta, the Brazilian superstar making a splash at the Grammys

There is no clear frontrunner for this year's prestigious Grammy for Best New Artist, but Brazil's Anitta definitely has a strong chance to win -- which would be the perfect way to cap her banner year.

UK man pleads guilty in foiled 2021 crossbow attack on queen

A Briton on Friday became the first person in decades to plead guilty to treason, after admitting trying to harm Queen Elizabeth II with a loaded crossbow in Windsor Castle in 2021.

Paco Rabanne: from fashion spaceman to fragrance king

Nicknamed "Wacko Paco" in the 1960s for his often unwearable designs, Spain's Paco Rabanne became best-known in later years for his globally popular line of fragrances as well as his eccentric beliefs.

The year of Beyonce? Music's elite head to the Grammys

The brightest stars in pop music will vie for the industry's top awards at the Grammys in Los Angeles on Sunday, with a Beyonce-Adele rematch set to take center stage.

JD Beck and DOMi, the supersonic jazz duo headed to the Grammys

With their musical dexterity and supersonic sound, JD Beck and DOMi have attracted major attention from artists ranging from Herbie Hancock to Bruno Mars, and now the jazz duo is in the hunt for Grammys glory.

Australia to remove British monarch from banknotes

Australia will erase the British monarch from its banknotes, replacing the late Queen Elizabeth II's image on its $5 note with a design honouring Indigenous culture, the central bank said Thursday.

Australia to remove monarch from banknotes

Australia announced Thursday it will erase the British monarch from its banknotes, replacing the late Queen Elizabeth II's image on its $5 note with a design honouring Indigenous culture.

Neanderthals hunted, butchered massive elephants: study

Neanderthals may have lived in larger groups than previously believed, hunting massive elephants that were up to three times bigger than those of today, according to a new study.

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