The China Mail - Culture

'Schitt's Creek' star Catherine O'Hara died of blood clot in lung: death certificate

Emmy-winning actress Catherine O'Hara, who starred in "Schitt's Creek" and "Home Alone," died from a blood clot in her lungs, her death certificate revealed Monday.

Spanish NGO says govt flouting own Franco memory law

One of Spain's most respected memory associations on Monday accused the leftist government of flouting its own much-vaunted policy to remove public symbols inherited from Francisco Franco's brutal dictatorship.

Discord adopts facial recognition in child safety crackdown

Messaging platform Discord announced Monday it will implement enhanced safety features for teenage users globally, including facial recognition, joining a wave of social media companies rolling out age verification systems.

Music world mourns Ghana's Ebo Taylor, founding father of highlife

Tributes have been pouring in from across Ghana and the world since the death of Ghanaian highlife legend Ebo Taylor.

'Flood' of disinformation ahead of Bangladesh election

Voters in Bangladesh elect a new government on February 12, but analysts warn their choice is threatened by a coordinated surge of disinformation, much of which originates from neighbouring India.

Colour and caution as banned kite-flying festival returns to Pakistan

Brightly coloured kites soared through the skies over Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore this weekend, marking the return of a festival after a 19-year ban that had been imposed over safety concerns.

Paul Thomas Anderson wins top director prize for 'One Battle After Another'

"One Battle After Another" director Paul Thomas Anderson won top honors at the Directors Guild of America Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday, solidifying his film's position as a strong favorite for the Oscars.

NFL embraces fashion as league seeks new audiences

It has become a staple of every NFL game's pre-show coverage -- footage of players strutting their way to stadium locker rooms wearing the latest daring sartorial choices.

Washington Post CEO out after sweeping job cuts

The Washington Post said Saturday its CEO and publisher Will Lewis was leaving effective immediately, just days after the storied newspaper owned by billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos made drastic job cuts that angered readers.

Veteran French politician loses culture post over Epstein links

Veteran French politician Jack Lang, a former minister, was forced out of a key cultural post Saturday as pressure grew on him over revelations in the latest release of the Epstein files.

Stars, Clydesdales and an AI beef jostle for Super Bowl ad glory

From dueling AI giants to Budweiser's Clydesdale horse mascots bonding with a bald eagle, the commercials vying for attention during Sunday's Super Bowl are shaping up as one of the most star-studded — and contentious — advertising battles in years.

France detects Russia-linked Epstein smear attempt against Macron: govt source

France has detected a Russia-linked disinformation effort alleging President Emmanuel Macron's involvement with convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a government source told AFP on Friday.

Greenland villagers focus on 'normal life' amid stress of US threat

Proudly showing off photographs on her tablet of her grandson's first hunt, Dorthe Olsen refuses to let the turmoil sparked by US president Donald Trump take over her life in a small hamlet nestled deep in a Greenland fjord.

EU tells TikTok to change 'addictive' design

The EU said Friday that it had told TikTok it needs to change its "addictive design" or risk heavy fines, after the Chinese-owned platform was found in breach of the bloc's digital content rules.

Japan taps Meta to help search for abuse of Olympic athletes

Japan's Olympic committee said on Friday it was working with tech giant Meta to monitor social media around the clock to protect athletes from online abuse at the Milan-Cortina Games.

Family of US news anchor's missing mother renews plea to kidnappers

The family of the kidnapped mother of a top US TV news anchor made a new plea for information from her captors on Thursday, after investigators said they believed the 84-year-old was still alive.

Sells like teen spirit? Cobain's 'Nevermind' guitar up for sale

The guitar played by late rock legend Kurt Cobain on the anthemic grunge track "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is going under the hammer next month.

Argentina govt launches account to debunk 'lies' about Milei

Argentina's right-wing government stepped up its standoff with the media on Thursday by launching a social media account to "debunk" what it called media lies about libertarian President Javier Milei.

Iran filmmaker Panahi fears Iranians' interests will be 'sacrificed' in US talks

Dissident Iranian film director Jafar Panahi told AFP he believes ordinary Iranians risk being "sacrificed" in talks between Iran and the United States on Friday, with his country still "in shock" over a deadly crackdown on protests.

EU defends Spain after Telegram founder criticism

The EU executive on Thursday expressed support for Spain after Telegram founder Pavel Durov slammed Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez over his plan to ban social media for children.

Sad horses and Draco Malfoy: China's unexpected Lunar New Year trends

A morose horse, rice cakes, and a Harry Potter villain have become surprise hits in China ahead of the country's Lunar New Year holiday.

Rijksmuseum puts the spotlight on Roman poet's epic

Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum on Friday opens the biggest exhibition ever devoted to art inspired by "Metamorphoses", Roman poet Ovid's most famous work, featuring contributions from artists as varied as Caravaggio, Magritte and Bernini.

On a roll, Brazilian cinema seizes its moment

For the second year in a row, a Brazilian movie has wowed international audiences and critics, securing multiple Oscar nominations and drawing fresh interest in the Latin American giant's film industry.

Telegram founder slams Spain PM over under-16s social media ban

Telegram founder Pavel Durov on Wednesday joined fellow tech tycoon Elon Musk in slamming Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez over his "dangerous" plan to ban social media for under-16s.

Washington Post announces 'painful' job cuts

The Washington Post, owned by billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, announced major job cuts Wednesday, saying that "painful" restructuring was needed at the storied newspaper.

UNESCO recognition inspires hope in Afghan artist's city

Hundreds of years after the celebrated painter Kamal ud-Din Behzad roamed the streets of Herat, artists in the Afghan city are finding joy and hope in his recognition by UNESCO.

Love in a time of war for journalist and activist in new documentary

An unlikely love story blossoming in the thick of war provides the backdrop to a new documentary that raises questions about how modern media cover conflict.

France summons Musk, raids X offices as deepfake backlash grows

French authorities summoned billionaire Elon Musk to a "voluntary interview" and searched the local offices of his social media network X on Tuesday in a probe into alleged political interference and sexual deepfakes, prosecutors said.

France summons Musk for questioning as X deepfake backlash grows