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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.

Progressive politics and nepo 'babies': five Oscar takeaways

The Oscar nominations were unveiled Thursday, with Netflix's "Emilia Perez" leading the charge on a whopping 13 nods.

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Pope Francis leads ex-pontiff Benedict's funeral

Tens of thousands of mourners gathered Thursday for the funeral of former pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican, led by his successor Pope Francis in an event unprecedented in modern times.

Prince Harry accuses brother William of 2019 physical attack: report

Britain's Prince Harry recounts in his new book how he was physically "attacked" by his older brother Prince William during an argument in 2019, the Guardian reported Wednesday.

Iggy Pop gets back to his rock roots

From godfather of punk to francophile crooner, Iggy Pop has always made unexpected moves. But he returns to his hard rock roots on Friday with help from some stalwarts of the US indie scene that he helped create.

Pope Francis to lead ex-pontiff Benedict's funeral

Pope Francis will preside Thursday over the funeral of his predecessor Benedict XVI at the Vatican, an unprecedented event in modern times expected to draw tens of thousands of people.

Myanmar junta chief says will hold 'free and fair' elections

Myanmar's junta said it would hold "free and fair" multiparty elections as it marked Independence Day on Wednesday, days after increasing democracy figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi's jail term to 33 years.

Myanmar junta marks Independence Day with show of force, mass pardons

Myanmar's junta announced an amnesty for 7,000 prisoners to mark Independence Day on Wednesday following a show of force in the capital, days after increasing democracy figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi's jail term to 33 years.

Coral bleaching causing 'unnecessary' fish fights

Fish that have lost food due to mass coral bleaching are getting into more unnecessary fights, causing them to expend precious energy and potentially threatening their survival, new research said Wednesday.

Myanmar junta marks Independence Day with show of force

Myanmar troops and weaponry paraded through the military-built capital Naypyidaw to mark Independence Day Wednesday, days after the junta increased democracy figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi's jail term to 33 years.

Myanmar junta marks Independence Day with show of force in military-built capital

Myanmar troops and weaponry paraded through the military-built capital Naypyidaw to mark the country's independence day Wednesday, days after the junta jailed democracy figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi for 33 years.

Becker back to work as Australian Open pundit

A month after his release from prison, Boris Becker will return as a consultant for Eurosport during the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of the season, the sports television channel announced on Tuesday.

'French Oscars' bars those investigated for sex crimes

The Cesar Awards, France's version of the Oscars, said Monday that anyone being investigated for allegations of sexual misconduct would be barred from its ceremony next month.

Harry sees 'no willingness to reconcile' in royal rift

Prince Harry sees "no willingness to reconcile" in a palace rift where leaks portray him and his wife Meghan as villains, according to interview extracts released Monday.

Japan emperor makes first public new year's appearance since 2020

Japanese Emperor Naruhito on Monday made his first public New Year's greetings since 2020, resuming an annual tradition with caution as the nation and the royal family gradually return to normalcy.

Bearskin dance reconnects Romania youth with tradition

Romanian teenager Cosmin sweats profusely under a gigantic bearskin costume as he prances to the exhilarating sound of drums, flutes and whistles to welcome the New Year.

Pope Francis to lead unique funeral for ex-pope Benedict

For the first time in modern history, a sitting pope will preside over his predecessor's funeral next week, with Pope Francis leading a "simple" ceremony for Benedict XVI, who died Saturday.

Catholic controversy over two popes in the Vatican

The shock retirement in 2013 of pope Benedict XVI, who died on Saturday aged 95, raised serious questions within the Roman Catholic Church about the extent to which there could be two "men in white" at the Vatican.

The Westwood brand: cocky, brazen and resolutely independent

Irreverent British designer Vivienne Westwood, who died on Thursday, succeeded in keeping her fashion house financially independent, even as others sought stock market listings or security within major luxury groups.

'Pele is eternal': Brazilian city of Santos honors its idol

From the second floor of her house, Onofra Alves Costa Rovai can see the Vila Belmiro, the stadium where Brazilian football legend Pele first took the world's breath away.

Pele's politics still a touchy subject in Brazil

Pele is revered in Brazil as the eternal "King of Football."

Pele 'immortal', says world football's governing body FIFA

FIFA said Pele was simply "immortal" after the Brazil legend, named by world football's governing body as the greatest player of the 20th century, died on Thursday aged 82.

Brazilian football legend Pele dead at 82

Brazilian football icon Pele, widely regarded as the greatest player of all time and a three-time World Cup winner who masterminded the "beautiful game," died on Thursday at the age of 82.

Brazilian football legend Pele has died: family

Brazilian football icon Pele, widely regarded as the greatest player of all time and a three-time World Cup winner who masterminded the "beautiful game," has died at the age of 82, his family said Thursday.

In Uruguay, an effort to save horses from foreign plates

Among a motley collection of rescued farm animals, four horses graze peacefully on a farm outside the Uruguayan capital Montevideo, blissfully unaware they had narrowly escaped the chopping block.

Fly away home: rare Eastern Sarus cranes released in Thailand

As the sun came up, 13 Thai Eastern Sarus cranes were released over a rippling reservoir in northeast Thailand, the latest effort to revive the almost-extinct species in the kingdom.

New York artist turns tiny hip-hop street scenes into profitable business

With his nimble fingers and child-like enthusiasm, Danny Cortes re-creates in miniature the hip-hop-infused street scenes of a gritty New York. But what began as a hobby has since brought him fame in the rap community and profitable sales even at Sotheby's prestigious auction house.

Pele's family gather at his hospital bedside on Christmas Eve

Family members visited the legendary Pele on Saturday at the Sao Paulo hospital where he is suffering from worsening cancer as well as kidney and heart problems, according to a social media post by his daughter.

British tabloid The Sun 'regrets' publishing Meghan 'hate' article

British tabloid The Sun on Friday said it regretted publishing a column by former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson about Prince Harry's wife Meghan after a huge backlash.

Canadian polar bears disappearing fast: study

Polar bears are disappearing fast from the Western part of Hudson Bay, on the southern tip of the Canadian Arctic, according to a new government survey.

Male panda at Dutch zoo turns out to be female

A two-year-old giant panda at a Dutch zoo has caused a stir by turning out to be a female and not a male as initially thought.

Let it burn, let it burn! Christmas tree's fiery origins

Dressed in pagan folk costumes, Latvians gather on a square in the centre of Riga for a ceremony that some historians see as the ancient precursor to the Christmas tree tradition.

#saltlife: Turkish celebrity chef at centre of FIFA probe

Celebrity chef and social media meme Nusret Gokce -- better known as "Salt Bae" -- has turned his singular way of seasoning a steak into global fame and outsized wealth.

Pele to spend Christmas in hospital as cancer worsens

Brazilian football great Pele will spend Christmas in hospital, his medical team and family said Wednesday, as he receives treatment for worsening cancer as well as kidney and heart problems.

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