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Rare 'Ocean Dream' blue-green diamond sells for $17 mn at auction

"Ocean Dream," the largest blue-green diamond ever recorded, sold for $17 million Wednesday, Christie's auction house said.

Vin Diesel drives 'Fast and Furious' tribute in Cannes

Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez will lead a cast reunion of "The Fast and the Furious" stars on Wednesday in Cannes ahead of a special screening to mark the 25th anniversary of the original movie.

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Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni agree to end lengthy legal battle

Actor Blake Lively and "It Ends with Us" co-star Justin Baldoni settled on Monday their acrimonious court battle, sparked when Lively accused Baldoni of inappropriate on-set behavior, meaning they will avoid a costly civil trial.

Dolly Parton cancels Las Vegas shows over health concerns

Country music legend Dolly Party on Monday announced the cancellation of a series of Las Vegas concerts, citing ongoing health concerns.

Britney Spears admits reckless driving in plea deal

Troubled pop princess Britney Spears on Monday admitted to reckless driving involving alcohol, in a plea deal that means she will avoid jail.

Britney Spears admits to reckless driving in plea deal

Troubled pop princess Britney Spears on Monday admitted to reckless driving involving alcohol, in a plea deal that means she will avoid jail.

French TV defend Champions Cup video referee after Van Graan criticism

French Champions Cup television broadcasters said on Monday it is "impossible to hide footage" after Bath coach Johan van Graan slammed the video referee procedure in his side's Champions Cup semi-final loss away to Bordeaux-Begles on the weekend.

French scholars seek to resurrect Moliere with AI play

What might France's greatest playwright have written had he not died of tuberculosis in 1673?

'Devil Wears Prada 2' takes top spot in N. America box office

"The Devil Wears Prada 2" debuted atop the North American box office this weekend, industry estimates showed Sunday, 20 years after the hit original took audiences inside the cutthroat world of haute couture.

Under full moon, Shakira thrills 2 million fans on Rio's Copacabana beach

Latin pop queen Shakira delighted crowds of two million that packed Rio's famed Copacabana beach under a full moon Saturday, delivering fan-favorite hits and words of love for Brazil.

Fleeting freedom at festival for India's transgender community

For a few fleeting days each year, India's often-shunned transgender community is welcomed and revered at a festival that is at once sacred ritual, celebration, and a refuge.

Rio's Copacabana beach hosts massive crowd for free Shakira concert

Rio's famed Copacabana beach was sizzling with energy Saturday, ahead of a free performance by Latin pop queen Shakira that will likely be her biggest concert to date.

US rapper Kanye West to perform in Albania in July

US rapper Kanye West will perform in the Albanian capital Tirana in July, Culture Minister Blendi Gonxhe told AFP on Saturday, exulting that the country was on its way to becoming a destination for top cultural events.

Immersive art: museum-goers in bikinis dive into Cezanne

A Swiss museum made a splash on Friday by inviting in the public in their swimwear to enjoy Paul Cezanne's iconic paintings of people bathing.

AI actors and writers not eligible for Oscars: Academy

Actors created with artificial intelligence will not be eligible for an Oscar, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Friday as it launched a crackdown on the use of AI.

UK court clears comedy writer of damaging transgender activist's phone

A London court on Friday overturned Emmy award-winning comedy writer Graham Linehan's conviction for damaging the mobile phone of a transgender activist.

Nepal temple celebrates return of stolen Buddha statue

A centuries-old Buddha statue stolen from a Nepali temple was reinstalled in its original location on Friday, one of several artefacts returned from foreign museums and collectors in recent years.

Finland's 'Flamethrower' and 4 other Eurovision favourites

A vibrating violin behind a fiery curtain, a Greek cruise ship singer and a song about star-crossed planets are among the favourites to win this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

At Iranian film's Berlin premiere, calls not to forget Iranian people

The Iranian film crew behind "Roya", which recounts the torment and trauma of a political prisoner in Tehran's Evin prison, urged the Iranian people "not to be forgotten" at the film's German premiere.

Jury of Italy's Venice Biennale resigns over Russia row

The international jury of the upcoming Venice Biennale Art Exhibition resigned Thursday in a row over the organisation's decision to allow Russia to participate in this year's event.

Banksy confirms behind new London statue of man blinded by flag

Elusive street artist Banksy on Thursday confirmed he was behind a new work drawing crowds in central London: a statue of a suited man striding into the void while holding a flag that blocks his view.

German artist Georg Baselitz dies aged 88

German artist Georg Baselitz, whose expressive paintings and sculptures stirred controversy in West Germany before winning global acclaim, has died aged 88.

Statue pops up on London plinth bearing Banksy's name

A large statue has appeared on a plinth in central London with Banksy's name scrawled on the base, prompting speculation Thursday that it may be the famously enigmatic street artist's latest work.

European rocket puts Amazon internet satellites in orbit

Europe's most powerful rocket Ariane 6 successfully released 32 satellites into orbit Thursday for Amazon's internet constellation, which is bidding to rival Elon Musk's giant Starlink.

Press freedom at lowest level in 25 years: RSF

Press freedom has fallen to its lowest level in a quarter of a century, Reporters Without Borders warned on Thursday.

No 'meaningful' shift from social media sites after Australia teen ban: govt report

There was "no meaningful shift" away from big tech platforms like TikTok and Instagram in the immediate wake of Australia's world-leading teen social media ban, government documents obtained by AFP show.

Mountain festival marks spring arrival high above Tokyo

A centuries-old festival that heralds spring drew hundreds of worshippers to a mountain in Tokyo on Wednesday, as robed Shinto priests led a procession to a sacred shrine at the summit.

Australia's 'most beautiful' street fed up with viral fame

Viral posts of an Australian street dubbed the country's "most beautiful" have enticed coachloads of visitors to a picturesque seaside town -- and locals have had enough of it.

Finland's Eurovision favourite brings flames and a frantic violin to Vienna

Beaming with excitement, Finnish violinist Linda Lampenius and singer Pete Parkkonen entered a studio in Helsinki for their final rehearsals, before departing to Vienna, where they are tipped to win Eurovision.

D4vd used Amazon chainsaws to hack up teen's body: prosecutors

R&B singer D4vd used chainsaws he bought from Amazon to cut up the body of the teenage girl he murdered and left to rot in the trunk of his Tesla, prosecution documents claimed Wednesday.

Crazy flights: Kiss frontman produces plane disaster movie

For those who fear flying, the thriller "Deep Water" reveals a new nightmare: surviving an emergency landing, only to find yourself surrounded by man-eating sharks.

Japan cleaner goes viral with spa-like service for plushies

A worn-out Pikachu plushie, tired teddy bear or stained stuffed animal can all get a new lease on life at a Japanese laundry service making beloved toys squeaky clean again.

'The White Lotus' drafts Laura Dern after Bonham Carter split

US actress Laura Dern has joined the cast of "The White Lotus," HBO announced Tuesday, days after Helena Bonham Carter left the show.

Jazz legend John Coltrane's son hits the high notes

Ravi Coltrane has a tough task: honour his father John and fellow legend Miles Davis without imitating them, he tells AFP, beer in hand during an interview in Poland.

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