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Trump fires librarian of US Congress

US President Donald Trump has fired the country's top librarian, his spokeswoman confirmed Friday, cutting short the term of the only woman and first African American to take on the role.

'Jumbo': the animated Indonesian film smashing records

An Indonesian animated movie is smashing regional box-office records and could be set for wider success as it prepares to open beyond the Southeast Asian archipelago's silver screens.

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Weinstein jury mulls verdict in Hollywood rapes case

Jurors in Los Angeles began deciding the fate of Harvey Weinstein on Friday, weighing rape and sex abuse charges that could see the former Hollywood titan jailed for the rest of his life.

Dutch turn against blackface festive character: poll

The Dutch are rapidly turning against the use of blackface for a popular festive character, with young people in particular saying it has no place in modern society, a survey showed Friday.

Tea culture in Azerbaijan, Turkey enters UNESCO list

The culture of tea practised in both Turkey and Azerbaijan was on Thursday added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, recognised as a symbol of "identity, hospitality and social interaction".

Beckmann self-portrait breaks German auction record

A self-portrait by expressionist artist Max Beckmann smashed the record price for a painting sold at auction in Germany, when it went under the hammer in Berlin on Thursday.

Taliban take off air Radio Free Europe's Afghan service

The Taliban on Thursday removed from the airwaves US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Afghanistan service, which has vowed not to comply with the country's Islamist rulers.

France's Mylene Demongeot dies after 70 years of screen stardom

French actress Mylene Demongeot, a box office star from the 1950s right up to the present day, who also appeared in several British productions, died on Thursday at the age of 87.

Musk says Twitter clash with Apple a 'misunderstanding'

Twitter owner Elon Musk said he met with Apple chief Tim Cook on Wednesday and "resolved the misunderstanding" that prompted him to declare war on the iPhone maker's App Store.

Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac dead at 79

Christine McVie, the English hitmaker and keyboardist who found fame in the 1970s as a member of Fleetwood Mac, died Wednesday, the band and her family said. She was 79 years old.

Cuban rum masters' tradition declared UNESCO cultural heritage

The traditional knowledge held by Cuba's light rum masters was on Wednesday added to UNESCO's list of intangible heritage, a prestigious designation that recognizes a tradition dating back eight generations on the island.

French baguettes get UNESCO heritage status

The French baguette -- "250 grams of magic and perfection," in the words of President Emmanuel Macron, and one of the abiding symbols of the nation -- was given UNESCO heritage status on Wednesday.

Yellow the new black as World Cup fashion sweeps Brazil

In a yellow-and-green outfit with matching shoes, eye glitter and fingernails, Julia Barbosa is on her way to watch Brazil's big match in a Sao Paulo bar.

Chile ceramics, Colombian wisdom get UNESCO heritage status

Two social traditions from South America were honored Tuesday as UNESCO recognized the rapidly disappearing skill required to make black pottery in Chile and the ancient knowledge of Colombian Indigenous groups as intangible cultural heritage practices.

Rare 'Don Quixote' editions sold in UK go up for auction

Ed Maggs examines a shelf of leather-bound antique books that his family have been selling from their landmark London shop for the last 170 years.

Lights go out on Hungary stadiums, theatres as energy crisis bites

Rocketing energy bills are forcing Hungary to shutter libraries, theatres, swimming pools and even its new football stadiums for winter.

'Bachelor's handbag' enters Aussie lexicon

Bachelor's handbag – a roast chicken takeaway in a plastic bag -- has been voted the Australian people's choice as the new word of the year, the Macquarie Dictionary said on Tuesday.

Metallica announces new album, world tour

Metallica on Monday announced a global tour and its forthcoming 12th studio album, "72 seasons," its first since 2016.

China arrests BBC journalist covering Covid protests

The BBC said on Sunday one of its journalists in China had been arrested and beaten by police while covering protests against the country's zero-Covid policy.

Meta calls for UK govt rethink over plans to scrap EU laws

Facebook owner Meta is urging UK lawmakers considering legislation to scrap all retained European Union laws by 2024 to maintain some e-commerce rules to keep Britain globally competitive.

Elizabeth Taylor's 'lucky charm' Oscar dress found in suitcase in London

A "lucky charm" Christian Dior dress worn by Elizabeth Taylor on the night she won best actress at the 1961 Oscars is to be sold at auction next month, after being stored in a suitcase in London for over 50 years.

Inflation clouds 'Black Friday' kickoff of US holiday shopping season

Retailers unveiled a trove of fresh seasonal promotions Friday, as they try to coax sales from reticent shoppers whose holiday cheer has been tempered by inflation and worries over a softening economy.

Wartime Beckmann portrait poised for auction record

A remarkable wartime self-portrait of painter Max Beckmann will be auctioned in Germany next week, valued at a record-setting estimate of up to 30 million euros.

Twitter aims to diversify beyond advertising, but can it be done?

Is it a pipe dream or possibility? Elon Musk wants to diversify Twitter's revenue stream beyond advertising, a feat none of the biggest social networks have yet pulled off.

Musk announces 'amnesty' for banned Twitter accounts after poll

Elon Musk said Thursday many previously suspended Twitter accounts would be allowed back on the platform after a landslide of users responding to an informal poll by the new owner voted in favor of the move.

Musk poll shows respondents want to reinstate suspended Twitter accounts

A landslide of Twitter users responding to an informal poll by new owner Elon Musk voted in favor of a general amnesty for suspended accounts on the platform.

Afropop star Aya Nakamura's domestic violence trial adjourned

The domestic violence trial of Franco-Malian superstar singer Aya Nakamura and her former partner was adjourned on Thursday with neither defendant appearing in court in Paris.

For political activists, Twitter packs a vital punch

From the Arab Spring uprisings to the MeToo movement in which women spoke up about sexual assaults, Twitter has proven itself a formidable ally for political activists and opposition groups, one whose reach and impact would be difficult to replace.

Afropop star Aya Nakamura faces court over domestic violence

Franco-Malian singer Aya Nakamura will appear in court on Thursday in Paris along with her former partner after they were charged with domestic violence following a row at their home in August.

UK retailer Boohoo denies 'slave' labour claims

British online fashion retailer Boohoo on Wednesday denied allegations that staff in a UK warehouse worked in harrowing and health-threatening conditions and regarded themselves as "slaves".

Musicians in French-speaking Africa eye global market through streaming

The wildfire popularity of streaming platforms has hoisted Nigerian and other artists from English-speaking Africa to unprecedented popularity around the world.

Rebel dancer suddenly quits Paris Opera: statement

One of the best-known male dancers at the Paris Opera, who has won a big following outside ballet for working as a judge on the French equivalent of "Strictly Come Dancing", on Wednesday quit the company after months of tension.

Blanchett and Yeoh films top indie Spirit Award nominations

Michelle Yeoh's "Everything Everywhere All At Once" and Cate Blanchett's "Tar" led the Spirit Awards nominations Tuesday, underlining their credentials as the indie films to watch this awards season.

'As Time Goes By': Casablanca bar celebrates film classic, 80 years on

Tourists are flocking to a bar in Morocco searching for the spirit of Humphrey Bogart's iconic, fictional nightclub, 80 years after the classic wartime film "Casablanca" hit the silver screen.

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