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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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US judge lets Musk amend Twitter claims, rejects delaying case

A US judge permitted Elon Musk to amend his complaint against Twitter on Wednesday, but rejected delaying the lawsuit over the disintegration of the billionaire's deal to acquire the social media company.

School trains new generation in Mexican cowboy traditions

Wearing a wide-brimmed hat, silver-buttoned shirt and embroidered tie, teenager Victor Teran skillfully twirls a lasso at a Mexican school training younger generations in traditional cowboy skills.

Iranian film about disabled father to open Asia's top film festival

An Iranian film about a disabled father who looks after his paralysed son will open Asia's biggest film festival next month, organisers said Wednesday as the event returns to "fully normal" for the first time since the pandemic started.

Roots rock: Chimpanzees drum to their own signature beats

The drummers puff out their chests, let out a guttural yell, then step up to their kits and furiously pound out their signature beat so that everyone within earshot can tell who is playing.

Uganda bans 'immoral' festival linked to sex, drugs, LGBT

Uganda's parliament on Tuesday slapped a ban on a popular music festival, the second time that authorities have taken steps against the annual event over accusations that it promotes sex, drugs and homosexuality.

Tilda Swinton on the importance of believing in ghosts

Tilda Swinton spoke on Tuesday about the "therapeutic importance" of believing in ghosts as she presented a haunting, semi-autobiographical new film about a woman dealing with the death of her mother.

'Not a god': Filmmakers dissect Leonard Cohen through 'Hallelujah'

A filmmaker duo retracing Leonard Cohen's life through his legendary anthem "Hallelujah" said they were so in awe of the Canadian singer that it took them years of preparation before tackling the documentary.

Colin Farrell on his 'painful, violent' new Irish film

Colin Farrell's new film, starring alongside old friend Brendan Gleeson, takes the pitch-black humour of their much-loved "In Bruges" to even darker, stranger places.

Debate flares over Spain bull-running fiestas as 10 die

Spain's controversial bull-running festivals have once again hit the headlines after a deadly summer in which at least 10 people lost their lives, exacerbating divisions over the centuries-old tradition.

Gender identity gets starring role at Venice Film Festival

Transgender issues have taken centre stage at the Venice Film Festival this year, with Italian director Emanuele Crialese even using the platform to reveal he was born a woman as he presented his new film starring Penelope Cruz.

'Top Gun' soars back to surprise lead in N.American theaters

In a reflection of Hollywood's deep late-summer slump, "Top Gun: Maverick," first released 15 weeks ago, climbed back to the top of the North American box office this weekend despite a relatively slim four-day take of $7.9 million.

Israel concedes soldier likely shot Al Jazeera journalist

The Israeli army conceded for the first time Monday that it was likely Palestinian-American reporter Shireen Abu Akleh was shot dead by an Israeli soldier who mistook her for a militant.

Russia revokes print licence of independent paper, jails ex-reporter for treason

Russian courts on Monday revoked the print licence of top independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta and jailed a respected ex-reporter for 22 years for treason, in the latest moves against the media and journalists.

Venice gets a dose of Harry Styles fever

Fans went wild for the arrival of music star Harry Styles in Venice on Monday, but any discussion of controversies around his film "Don't Worry Darling" was quickly shut down.

Bookish and traumatised: the real Marilyn Monroe comes to Venice

Sixty years after her death, Marilyn Monroe is back in the limelight as the subject of the buzzy Netflix biopic 'Blonde', which premiers at the Venice Film Festival on Thursday.

Film legend Paul Schrader is seriously ill but on a roll

Few thought Paul Schrader would ever match the success of his early scripts for "Taxi Driver" and "Raging Bull" -- but suddenly, in his seventies, the writer-director is back at the top of his game.

Brendan Fraser makes 'Whale'-sized comeback in Venice

In one of the most unexpected movie comebacks ever, Brendan Fraser transformed into a morbidly obese man for "The Whale" that premiered at the Venice Film Festival Sunday.

Barack Obama: president, Nobel laureate, and now an Emmy winner

Hollywood newcomer Barack Obama was awarded an Emmy for narrating his Netflix documentary series "Our Great National Parks," the Television Academy announced Saturday.

'Lord of the Rings' prequel is Amazon Prime Video's biggest premiere

Amazon announced Saturday that its big budget series "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power," based on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, had marked the biggest premiere in the history of Prime Video -- with 25 million viewers.

Google allows Parler app back into Play Store

Google allowed social media network Parler back into its Play Store Friday, more than a year after banning the platform popular with conservatives in the wake of the insurrection at the US Capitol.

Actress Jane Fonda says she has cancer

US actress and activist Jane Fonda announced Friday that she has cancer, and has begun chemotherapy in her battle against the disease.

Glenn Close to preside jury at San Sebastian film festival

US actress Glenn Close will be president of the jury for the San Sebastian film festival in Spain in September, the organisers said on Friday.

Timothee Chalamet hungry for blood in Venice

Fast becoming the defining Gen Z filmstar, Timothee Chalamet will test the stomachs of his many fans with a bone-crunching, blood-splattered "cannibal romance", premiering in Venice on Friday.

Reality has no allure for Mexico's Oscar-winning director at Venice

It is one of the most unforgettable opening scenes to play at the Venice Film Festival: a baby pushed back into its mother because, he informs the doctor, who would want to live in this screwed-up world?

Twitter says it is actively testing edit button

Twitter said Thursday it has begun actively testing an edit button, after months of publicly discussing such a tweak.

De Beer becomes first female director of Vienna's Volksoper

Dutch opera director Lotte de Beer takes over on Thursday as artistic director of the Volksoper opera house in Vienna, the first woman to hold the post.

Lies, damn lies and social media: fake news stalks Brazil vote

In a divisive election campaign blighted by fears of unrest if far-right President Jair Bolsonaro refuses to accept defeat, Brazil is waging an uphill battle against disinformation wielded as a political weapon.

Netflix in row over inspiration for Mexican drug 'queen' show

A Mexican woman whose links to drug traffickers earned her the nickname "Queen of the Pacific" is demanding compensation from Netflix for an award-winning show that she says is based on her life.

California law would make tech firms think of children

California legislators on Tuesday passed a bill to require tech firms to put the well-being of children over profits when designing apps or other online products.

Between the covers: Librarian reveals left-behind treasures

Family photos, a Public Enemy backstage pass, a weekend to-do list ("Saturday: file taxes, Sunday: chill, watch game") and unused beer vouchers from 2002: it's amazing what people leave in library books.

Exec departures at Snap after report of workforce cuts

Two top executives at Snap are leaving to join Netflix, the streaming giant said Tuesday, after a report emerged that the Snapchat parent company is to slash its workforce by a fifth.

South African actress Charlbi Dean dies aged 32

South African actress Charlbi Dean -- who appeared in Palme d'Or winning film "Triangle of Sadness" -- has died at the age of 32, her representative said Tuesday.

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