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'Female power': Japan erotic art destigmatised in new exhibit

Graphic depictions of enormous phalluses and acrobatic sex positions have long rendered centuries-old Japanese "shunga" art taboo, but a rare exhibition aims to prove the genre is a world apart from male-centred porn.

Julia Roberts to make Venice debut in cancel culture drama

Julia Roberts is due to walk the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival Friday for the first time after stepping into a new role as a college professor grappling with tense US campus politics.

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Brunei's 'Instagrammer' prince gives royal family a fresh look

In real life he's a prince of an Islamic sultanate steeped in centuries-old traditions, but on Instagram Brunei's Abdul Mateen is more Hollywood than royalty as he flies in fighter jets, drives speed boats and poses bare-chested after workouts.

Bullfighting to return to Mexico City after legal battle

Bullfighting will make a comeback in Mexico City this month after a legal tussle led to a more than one-year suspension at the world's largest bullring, organizers announced Thursday.

Boots, Banksy, piano: Elton John puts items up for auction

Music icon Elton John has put a variety of personal items up for auction at Christie's in New York, including monogrammed silver leather platform boots, a grand piano and a triptych by street artist Banksy.

Botswana, De Beers approve $1 bn deal in world's top diamond mine

Botswana and global diamond giant De Beers have approved a $1 billion investment to dig under the world's richest diamond mine by volume, their joint venture said on Wednesday.

Mel Brooks earns honorary Oscar at 97

A 97-year-old Mel Brooks accepted a lifetime achievement Oscar in Hollywood on Tuesday, more than half a century after he won his only Academy Award with "The Producers."

Baby Yoda gets his own 'Star Wars' movie

Coming to the big screen, he is.

Meta toughens content curbs for teens on Instagram, Facebook

Meta on Tuesday said it was tightening up content restrictions for teens on Instagram and Facebook as it faces increased scrutiny that its platforms are harmful for young people.

Sinead O'Connor died of 'natural causes', UK coroner rules

Irish musician Sinead O'Connor died last year of "natural causes", a London coroner announced Tuesday.

CES gadget fest a showcase for AI-infused lifestyle

From self-driving baby carriages to ChatGPT in Volkswagen cars, artificial intelligence is expected to be center stage at the CES gadget extravaganza that formally opens Tuesday in Las Vegas.

Golden Globes ratings recover even as 'horrid' host bombs

The Golden Globes bounced back from years of scandal and dwindling audiences to draw 9.4 million viewers, preliminary figures showed Monday, even as the gala's flailing host was savaged by critics.

NY Times essay speculating over Swift's sexuality sparks backlash

A lengthy essay speculating over superstar Taylor Swift's sexuality has triggered anger online, with some social media users calling for its retraction.

Paris names street after David Bowie

The city of Paris on Monday named a street after rock music icon David Bowie, a first in honour of the singer eight years after his death.

Actor Idris Elba calls for action over UK knife crime

British actor Idris Elba on Monday launched a campaign calling for a ban on knives such as a machetes, to reduce the number of young people killed in stabbings.

'Oppenheimer' tops Golden Globes on bittersweet night for 'Barbie'

"Oppenheimer," Christopher Nolan's drama about the inventor of the atomic bomb, topped the Golden Globes on Sunday -- but its fellow summer smash hit "Barbie" missed out on best comedy film honors to "Poor Things."

Golden Globes under way with big wins for 'Oppenheimer'

"Oppenheimer" picked up multiple key wins at the Golden Globes on Sunday, on a night billed as a celebration of Christopher Nolan's epic and its fellow summer smash hit "Barbie."

Still standing: unique houses survive quake in Japan village

The New Year's Day earthquake demolished wooden buildings all across Japan's Noto Peninsula but thanks to decades-old smart architecture, one small fishing village stood strong.

Stars glitter on Globes red carpet

Hollywood A-listers turned up in force Sunday on the red carpet at the Golden Globes, serving up killer looks to launch the showbiz awards season, after being out of sight for months during the industry's devastating strikes.

'Barbenheimer' front of mind as Golden Globes kicks off

The Golden Globes got under way Sunday, with all eyes on "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer," the unlikely pair of films that dominated the box office and spawned countless viral memes last summer.

'Barbenheimer' heads to the Golden Globes

"Barbie" and "Oppenheimer," the unlikely pair of films that dominated the box office and spawned countless viral memes last summer, head to Sunday's Golden Globes as the favorites to claim the rebooted gala's top movie prizes.

Calling all guitar heroes, The Smashing Pumpkins are hiring

Could you be the next member of The Smashing Pumpkins?

German actor Christian Oliver killed in Caribbean plane crash

German-born Hollywood actor Christian Oliver was killed along with his two young daughters as their small plane plummeted into the Caribbean Sea moments after takeoff, local police said.

Greece revives 2,300 year-old palace where Alexander The Great was crowned

An ancient palace where Alexander The Great was crowned King of Macedonia will reopen to the public on Sunday after a 16-year 20 million euro renovation aiming to restore its past glory.

New-look Golden Globes prepares to toast 'Barbenheimer'

Organizers of the newly reformed Golden Globes hope that a "Barbenheimer" love-in can help to revitalize Hollywood's famously fun-loving but scandal-dogged awards gala on Sunday.

Ode to the father: Bangladesh's political personality cult

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina still grieves the assassination of her father -- the country's founder -- nearly 50 years ago, and her government ensures the nation grieves with her.

Elvis to get hologram treatment at new London show

A new immersive Elvis Presley show will open in central London later this year, bringing the king of rock 'n' roll back to life with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), organisers said Thursday.

US teen becomes first human to beat Tetris

A US teenager has beaten classic computer game Tetris, forcing it into a game-ending glitch in a feat previously achieved only by artificial intelligence.

Cancel Depardieu? French cinema split over film icon

The case of actor Gerard Depardieu, charged with rape and facing other accusations of sexual assault, has exposed a major split in French cinema, extending into politics and wider society.

Niger struggles to keep its traditional music alive

A succession of high and low sounds from the Nigerien musician's drum is a kind of telegram but few today understand its message.

Mickey Mouse horror films announced as Disney copyright expires

Oh boy! Barely 24 hours after Disney's initial copyright on Mickey Mouse expired, two new indie horror films starring the beloved character have been announced.

South African anti-apartheid photographer Peter Magubane dies aged 91

Peter Magubane, a South African photojournalist who chronicled decades of violence during the country's apartheid era including the Soweto student uprising of 1976, died Monday aged 91, his family announced.

Takanakuy, the Andean 'fight club' that clears the air for a new year

The fighting begins and ends with a hug, part of a singular ritual that has residents of the Peruvian Andes punching and kicking in a year-end fight competition known as Takanakuy.

'Wonka' back atop N.America box office in a weak film year

Fantasy musical "Wonka" bounced back to the top of the North American box office this New Year's weekend as an otherwise pallid film year came to an end, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

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