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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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Beyonce announces North American, European tour from May to September

Pop megastar Beyonce on Wednesday announced plans to tour Europe and North America later this year, following the release of her latest album "Renaissance" -- just days before a Grammy Awards ceremony where she is the most-nominated artist.

Juliette Binoche to be honoured at Spain's Goya awards

French actor Juliette Binoche will be honoured at Spain's top film honours, the Goya awards, later this month, the Spanish Film Academy said Wednesday.

Myanmar marks coup anniversary with eyes on junta election plan

Myanmar democracy activists called for businesses to close nationwide on Wednesday to mark the second anniversary of the coup that toppled Aung San Suu Kyi's government, with the junta hinting it may extend a state of emergency and delay new elections.

Relentless sex drive may threaten survival of quolls

For male northern quolls, sex is a death sentence.

Elvis Presley's widow disputes late daughter's will

Elvis Presley's widow Priscilla has disputed their late daughter's will, claiming that an amendment which would remove her as a trustee is invalid, court documents show.

In new jolt to Dallas Zoo, two tamarin monkeys go missing

Two emperor tamarin monkeys have gone missing at the Dallas Zoo, the latest in a string of bizarre animal incidents to rock the facility in the US state of Texas.

After drought, winter rains revive Iraq's famed marshlands

Black buffaloes wade through the waters of Iraq's Mesopotamian marshes, leisurely chewing on reeds. After years of drought, winter rains have brought some respite to herders and livestock in the famous wetlands.

Youth symphony vies for a Grammy with debut album

When the New York Youth Symphony recorded its debut album during the pandemic's dark early days, violinist Jessica Jeon was just 12 years old.

Casanova's 'La Pieta' drama wins French horror accolade

Spanish director Eduardo Casanova on Sunday saw his "La Pieta" drama about a toxic mother-son relationship take top prize at France's Gerardmer international horror and science fiction film festival.

Brazil open door to breaking foreign coach taboo

More than two decades since their last World Cup triumph and without a local consensus pick, Brazil are considering breaking an unwritten taboo: hiring a foreign coach.

Academy launches probe after indie film's surprise Oscars nod

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Friday it was launching a review of Oscars campaigning, days after a small indie film surprised industry-watchers with a shock nomination to Hollywood's most prestigious awards.

France minister 'shocked' after train runs over cat

France's Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said Friday he was "particularly shocked" after a train departing a busy Paris station appeared to deliberately run over a domestic cat.

'Love hormone'? Not so fast, new study suggests

The "love hormone" oxytocin has long been thought key to behaviours including pairing up with a partner and nurturing offspring, but a new study in prairie voles is raising doubts.

Gautam Adani: the Indian tycoon weathering stock market panic

Indian industrialist Gautam Adani is Asia's richest man, with a business empire spanning coal, airports, cement and media now rocked by corporate fraud allegations and a stock market crash.

Bond actress Eva Green enters UK court battle over unmade film

A lengthy legal dispute over a never-made film starring French actress Eva Green reached London's High Court on Thursday.

India to get more than 100 cheetahs from S.Africa

South Africa said Thursday that it had reached a deal to transfer more than 100 cheetahs to India as part of an ambitious project to reintroduce the spotted cats in the south Asian country.

Myanmar pilgrims return to Buddha's golden footprints

Devotees are returning in greater numbers to a central Myanmar temple, built around the gold-lined footprints of Buddha, after the Covid pandemic and a military coup curbed the annual pilgrimage.

France under pressure to save dolphins from trawlers

Hundreds of dolphins are washing up on France's Atlantic coast and thousands more are believed killed in fishermen's nets each year, as environmentalists and Brussels pressure the government to protect the marine mammals.

Paris Hilton announces birth of first child

Media personality and hotel heiress Paris Hilton announced Tuesday that she and husband Carter Reum had welcomed their first child.

Dead vulture, missing panther: mystery at the Dallas Zoo

What mysterious forces are at work at the Dallas zoo?

Justin Bieber sells music rights for $200 mn

Pop juggernaut Justin Bieber has sold his music publishing and recording catalog shares to the Blackstone-backed Hipgnosis Songs Capital for $200 million, the company said Tuesday -- marking the industry's latest blockbuster rights deal.

Corsica tycoon convicted for harming tortoises during construction

Corsican construction tycoon Patrick Rocca was fined 150,000 euros Tuesday for harming protected tortoises on a building site even after officials told him to stop.

EU eyes more help for shrinking bee populations

The EU on Tuesday announced proposals to try to reverse an "alarming decline" in the number of bees -- and other insects that pollinate the bloc's crops -- including by rewarding organic farming.

Kenyan rugby ace Collins Injera retires aged 36

Kenya's all-time top try scorer Collins Injera announced his retirement on Tuesday after a 17-year rugby career.

Denmark wins global culinary showdown

Denmark's ode to the humble squash helped propel the Nordic nation to victory Monday in prestigious culinary competition the Bocuse d'or, beating host and defending champion France.

Sean Penn Ukraine doc to premiere at Berlin film fest

US actor and director Sean Penn will premiere a documentary he filmed in Kyiv featuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at next month's Berlin film festival, organisers said Monday.

Tom Hanks nominated for three 'Razzies'

His recent hit film "Elvis" is an Oscars frontrunner, but Tom Hanks was left all shook up Monday as he earned three nominations from the Razzies, which "celebrate" the year's worst films.

Graceland memorial service for Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis

Singer-songwriter Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of rock and roll icon Elvis Presley, has been laid to rest at the family's legendary Tennessee home Graceland, where hundreds of fans and loved ones gathered Sunday for a public memorial service.

Processions, lunches and concert to crown King Charles III

The coronation weekend for King Charles III will feature a star-studded concert, nationwide "big lunch" and volunteering initiative as well as the traditional ceremony and royal processions, Buckingham Palace announced late Saturday.

Buzz Aldrin, second man on the Moon, marries on 93rd birthday

Legendary Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second person to set foot on the Moon, said he had married his longtime girlfriend on Friday, his 93rd birthday.

Dutch to ban unhealthy designer pets

The Netherlands wants to ban pets such as flat-faced dogs and cats with folded ears, which look sweet but suffer "miserable" health problems, the government said on Friday.

Satellite mapping finds new colony of Emperor penguins

Satellite mapping technology has discovered another new colony of the highly threatened Emperor penguins in Antarctica, researchers revealed Friday.

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