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China's Gen Z women embrace centuries-old script

At a studio in central China's Hunan province, a teacher grips an ink brush, gently writing characters of a secret script created by women centuries ago and now being embraced by a new generation.

With poetry and chants, Omanis strive to preserve ancient language

Against the backdrop of southern Oman's lush mountains, men in traditional attire chant ancient poems in an ancient language, fighting to keep alive a spoken tradition used by just two percent of the population.

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Iran's early recordings revive forgotten sound heritage

In a century-old building in Tehran, Saeed Anvarinejad turned the dial of a vintage radio to tune into some of Iran's earliest recorded sounds, some serving as reminders of the seismic changes that shaped the country's history.

Swinton lashes out as she receives Berlin festival award

British movie star Tilda Swinton lashed out at the "state-operated" crimes of "greed-addicted governments" as she received a special award on the first day of the Berlin Film Festival on Thursday.

PSG president Al-Khelaifi charged in French corporate abuse of power probe: source

French judicial authorities have charged the president of Paris Saint-Germain football club, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, with complicity in abuse of power concerning shareholder voting at a company, a source close to the case said Thursday.

Cinema can be a 'refuge', Berlin film festival director says

The new director of the Berlin film festival, Tricia Tuttle, spoke to AFP ahead of the opening, saying it would be an artistic "refuge" in the alarming age of Donald Trump.

New York, Paris, Berlin to mark anniversaries of iconic Christo art

New York, Paris and Berlin are celebrating the anniversaries this year of iconic art installations that saw some of their most prominent landmarks wrapped in fabric by the late artists known as Christo and Jeanne-Claude.

AP reporter again barred from Oval Office over 'Gulf of America'

An AP reporter Wednesday was barred from attending White House events for the second straight day, as Donald Trump's administration sought to justify its actions against media that refuse to call the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America."

Shakira kicks off first world tour in seven years

Shakira launched her first worldwide tour in seven years from Rio de Janeiro this week for her latest Grammy-winning album "Las mujeres ya no lloran" (Women Don't Cry Anymore).

New 'Captain America' film flies into Trumpian headwinds

The latest in the Captain America film franchise which premiered in Hollywood Tuesday presents a vision of the United States out of step with the Trump era, with a diverse cast, a core message about unity and an endorsement of international diplomacy.

Chinese animated blockbuster breaks records, prompts patriotism

Animated Chinese blockbuster "Ne Zha 2", based on traditional mythology, has smashed multiple box office records on its way to becoming the country's most successful movie ever.

Fans snap up tickets for Black Sabbath reunion and Ozzy Osbourne's farewell gig

Fans of Black Sabbath on Tuesday snapped up the first tickets for the UK heavy-rock giants' one-off hometown gig, where the original line-up will perform for the first time in 20 years and frontman Ozzy Osbourne's will bow out.

Galeries Lafayette owner Ginette Moulin dies aged 98

The majority owner of the emblematic Parisian department store Galeries Lafayette, Ginette Moulin, has died aged 98, the company told AFP Tuesday.

'My own Apocalypse Now': 'White Lotus' returns with steamy Thailand romp

Frisky tourists, searing heat and monkeys: Thailand was the perfect setting for the new season of HBO's "The White Lotus" to explore the dark secrets and base desires of the jet-set class, its creator said Monday.

Elon Musk heads group trying to buy control of OpenAI: report

Elon Musk is leading an investment group offering $97.4 billion for the nonprofit that controls OpenAI, marking a new front in his war with the ChatGPT-maker, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

Kanye West's account on X goes dark after hate-filled rant

Kanye West's account on X has been deactivated after a days-long rant on the platform that included vitriolic, anti-Semitic outbursts.

Trump, Swift and the crushed Chiefs: Super Bowl highlights

Philadelphia's 40-22 Super Bowl victory on Sunday was marked by the presence of President Donald Trump, crowds booing Taylor Swift, and Kansas City's crushing loss.

Overflowing sewage stops Bryan Adams concert in Australia

Overflowing sewage caused by a "large blockage" of fat, grease and rags has forced organisers to cancel a Bryan Adams concert in Australia, citing a threat to the arena's toilets.

'Dog Man' holds N.America lead despite Super Bowl competition

"Dog Man," a superhero comedy from Universal and DreamWorks based on popular kids' novels, held its lead in North American theaters for a second straight weekend, earning an estimated $13.7 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said Sunday.

'Anora' wins top Hollywood producer and director prizes

"Anora" was named the best film of the year by Hollywood's directors and producers on Saturday, cementing its new status as the film to beat at the upcoming Oscars.

Scandal-hit narco-musical 'Emilia Perez' wins Spanish film prize

Narco-musical "Emilia Perez" won best European film at Spain's equivalent of the Oscars on Saturday, after social media posts by the movie's star prompted backlash in the middle of awards season.

Demi Moore wins at Critics Choice with disgraced rival Gascon absent

Demi Moore won best actress at the Critics Choice Awards on Friday, confirming her status as favorite for the Oscars in a week that saw scandal envelop her "Emilia Perez" rival Karla Sofia Gascon.

Rare Stradivarius violin sells for $11.3 mn at Sotheby's

A rare Stradivarius violin, made over 300 years ago by Antonio Stradivari during his so-called golden period, fetched $11.3 million at auction in New York on Friday, Sotheby's said.

Five facts about Kosovo: three flags, pop royalty and love of US

Kosovo, one of Europe's poorest countries beset with rocky relations with its larger neighbour Serbia, holds parliamentary elections Sunday.

'Trump' thrills fans at Hong Kong theatre's last hurrah

The crack of a gunshot and the blonde man flinches behind the lectern, clutching his ear.

Daniel Barenboim reveals he has Parkinson's disease

The world-renowned Israeli-Argentine pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim revealed Thursday he is suffering from Parkinson's disease after years of persistent health problems.

China's Xi hails Thailand's 'strong' action against scam centres

Chinese President Xi Jinping thanked Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Thursday for the "strong measures" her country has taken against scam centres targeting Chinese people from neighbouring Myanmar.

For quake survivors, art brings healing in Turkey's Antioch

At first glance, it's a happy image: hundreds of smiling faces torn from newspapers and pasted into a frame. But these are ghosts, victims of the 2023 earthquake in Turkey that claimed more than 53,000 lives.

Art fair in Marrakesh brings African art to global stage

In Morocco's tourist hub of Marrakesh, a contemporary art fair has energised the local creative scene, drawing on the famed city's aesthetic legacy to propel emerging African artists into the global spotlight.

Google halts workplace diversity push

Google parent company Alphabet has stopped making diversity and inclusion a workplace priority, according to a filing Wednesday with US regulators.

Disney profits rise on strong 'Moana 2' sales

Disney reported higher quarterly profits Wednesday, posting increased revenues in its streaming business as it eyes a rollout of a key ESPN product later this year.

No new clothes: S. Korean climate activist targets hyperconsumption

Recovering South Korean shopaholic-turned-climate activist Lee So-yeon used to buy new clothes almost daily -- until a $1.50 winter coat triggered an awakening that stopped her shopping entirely.

Taliban suspend women's radio station in Afghanistan

Afghanistan's Taliban authorities raided well-known women's radio station Radio Begum on Tuesday, arresting two employees, the broadcaster said, calling for the speedy release of its staff.

Taliban raid women's radio station in Afghanistan: broadcaster