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TV soaps and diplomacy as Bangladesh and Turkey grow closer

In a recording studio in Dhaka, voiceover artist Rubaiya Matin Gity dubs the latest Turkish soap opera to become a megahit in Bangladesh -- a pop-culture trend that reflects growing ties between the two countries.

Prague cathedral's long-awaited organ to pipe up in 2026

Prague's St. Vitus Cathedral, a favourite feature of postcards from the Czech capital, is next year set to inaugurate a long-awaited organ that befits its Gothic splendour.

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'Better than a real man': young Chinese women turn to AI boyfriends

Twenty-five-year-old Chinese office worker Tufei says her boyfriend has everything she could ask for in a romantic partner: he's kind, empathetic, and sometimes they talk for hours.

Academics hold 'Swiftposium' as Tay Tay heads to Australia

Whether it is her relatable pop songs, connection with millions of fans worldwide or role as a feminist icon, the power of Taylor Swift is now too large for academics to ignore.

Dating app helps Swedes with disabilities find love

For 24-year-old Sira Rehn, a dating app for people with mild intellectual disabilities and autism has opened up the world of online dating and a chance to find love in a safe space.

A-list stars to confront dicey politics at Berlin film festival

New movies starring Cillian Murphy, Kristen Stewart, Gael Garcia Bernal and Adam Sandler will top the line-up of the Berlin film festival starting Thursday which risks getting upended by geopolitics.

Ukraine debates future of downed Soviet monuments

In Ukraine's westernmost city of Lviv, a statue of the first woman in space, Valentina Tereshkova, sprawls on the ground, red paint splashed around her helmet.

S. Africa's Tshepo Jeans, from township to stars' closets

Growing up in a rough township outside Johannesburg, Tshepo Mohlala was mocked for wearing skinny jeans before they were popular.

Beyonce, Swift command conversation as Usher helms halftime

Usher delivered a Las Vegas-appropriate set heavy on glitz, choreography and nostalgia as he headlined Sunday's Super Bowl halftime show, but it was new music from Beyonce and the Taylor Swift cam that grabbed the most attention.

'Argylle' sees big drop but still tops N.America box office

Universal's wacky spy thriller "Argylle" held on to the top spot in North American theaters on a molasses-slow movie weekend overshadowed by pro football's Super Bowl championship game.

Guenter Brus, last of Austria's 'actionism' art movement, dies at 85

Contemporary artist Guenter Brus, the last surviving key member of Vienna's famed "actionists", has died at the age of 85, the museum dedicated to the radical and provocative art movement said Sunday.

Parades, parties, pageantry: What to know about Rio's Carnival

After weeks of sweaty, pulsating street parties, the Rio Carnival reaches its crescendo this Sunday with its main event, in which samba schools compete in dazzling parades.

Spain cinema faces #MeToo moment at Goya awards

Spain's glittering Goya film awards ceremony, which takes place Saturday, looks set to be overshadowed by allegations of sexual assault directed at an independent Spanish filmmaker.

A car-free Eiffel Tower zone? Paris mayor faces pushback

Removing cars from an expanse around the Eiffel Tower to create a green pathway sounds pretty good on paper, but the mayor of Paris is struggling to win over residents and above all the police force to revamp one of the city's most celebrated views.

Indonesian tribe shuns political campaigning

In forests a few hours' drive from Indonesia's capital, there will be no presidential election campaigning by an Indigenous tribe that cares little for the outside world.

Helmut Lang kicks off NY fashion week with bubble wrap and balaclavas

Bubble wrap, balaclavas and puffy jackets took center stage at the Helmut Lang show that kicked off New York Fashion Week on Friday.

Meta reviewing use of word 'Zionist' amid Israel-Hamas war

Meta on Friday confirmed it is assessing when the word "Zionist" should be deemed hate speech as online anti-Semitism escalates amid the Israel-Hamas war.

Star Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa dies at 88

Charismatic Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa, who led the Boston Symphony Orchestra for nearly 30 years and delighted audiences with his energetic style, died at his home in Tokyo aged 88, his management team announced on Friday.

Meta reviewing use of word 'Zionist' amid Israel-Gaza war

Meta on Friday confirmed it is assessing when the word "Zionist" should be deemed hate speech as online anti-Semitism escalates amid the Israel-Hamas war.

Prince Harry settles UK hacking lawsuit against Mirror tabloid

Prince Harry on Friday settled a long-running legal claim against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), nearly two months after a UK judge ruled he had been a victim of phone hacking by its tabloid titles.

Law and politics hamper UK museum artefacts returns

British museums, like others across Europe, are under pressure to return artworks taken during the colonial era, including Bronzes from Benin, royal treasures from Ghana and friezes from Greece.

Indonesia candidates battle for Gen-Z votes on social media

Indonesia's presidential candidates are posting light content on social media in a push to appeal to young voters, dressing up like Tom Cruise in "Top Gun", organising dance contests or forgetting to turn off a livestream.

'One-sided war': Indonesians join forces to bust election disinfo

On a typical workday, Vinanda Febriani starts her morning in Indonesia scrolling on her phone. But her goal is slightly different than most Gen Zers -- she is scanning for disinformation posts.

Women train to fight fire with fire in Portugal

Women from around the world gathered in northwest Portugal this week to practise a traditional technique of deliberately burning land to prevent the kind of wildfires -- intensified by climate change -- that have killed hundreds across Europe.

'Carnival is here': Rio gets ready to party

With the clock ticking down to what has been called the biggest party on Earth, Brazilian dancer Pedro H. Gaspar confesses he is "excited... and tired."

We are here: Giants of music Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz curate NY mega-show

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz are American music aristocracy, among the most celebrated artists of their generation. Now they have brought together leading artworks from the African-American community and the Black diaspora for a groundbreaking show at the Brooklyn Museum in New York.

Denzel Washington and Spike Lee to reunite for 'High and Low'

Frequent collaborators Denzel Washington and Spike Lee are reuniting to adapt a classic movie by legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, Apple announced Thursday.

Prosecutors demand trial for French director over alleged abuse of actor

French prosecutors have requested a trial for film director Christophe Ruggia, who has been charged with sexually assaulting an actor when she was a minor, sources told AFP on Thursday.

Uganda opposition leader Bobi Wine emboldened by Oscar nod

Bobi Wine has worn many hats -- pop star, politician, and now, the star of an Oscar-nominated documentary, which the 41-year-old Ugandan credits with giving him "an extended lease of life".

New kind of football in the land of Pele as NFL booms in Brazil

Screaming and gesturing at the TV in his San Francisco 49ers jersey and scarf, Brazilian computer programmer Carlos Marins wills his team to come from behind and make it to the Super Bowl.

Disney beats forecasts as streaming struggles improve

Disney on Wednesday reported higher than expected profit in the final three months of last year as it strives to adapt to a shift from television to streaming.

White House slams Putin 'brutality' ahead of Carlson interview

The White House said Wednesday that Vladimir Putin should not be given another mouthpiece to justify his war in Ukraine, after right-wing US talk show host Tucker Carlson interviewed the Russian president.

French actor files rape charges against director Benoit Jacquot

French actor Judith Godreche has pressed charges against film director Benoit Jacquot 25 years her senior, accusing him of raping her when she was a teenager, her lawyer said Wednesday.

Taylor-mania hits Tokyo as Swift resumes tour before Super Bowl

Taylor Swift will celebrate making Grammys history with a run of concerts in Tokyo starting Wednesday, kicking off a month of sell-out shows in Asia that will include a quick run home to see her boyfriend contest the US Super Bowl.

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