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週刊文春がスクープ「レコード大賞の闇」：買収疑惑と審査委員企業の営業

週刊文春は日本レコード大賞をめぐる一連の疑惑をスクープした。審査委員企業の不可解な高額営業資料や新人賞枠の突然増加などが明らかになり、音楽業界で大きな話題となっている。年末恒例の風物詩がカネで動かされているとの指摘だ。

Katy Perry Tells Fans Ex-Husband Russell Brand 'Should Be in Jail' During UK Concert

Katy Perry has recalled a past concert moment where she told fans that her ex-husband Russell Brand 'should be in jail,' a statement that has taken on renewed significance following his recent criminal convictions. The singer made the remark during a question-and-answer session at the Blenheim Palace Festival last July, before Brand was found guilty of rape and sexual assault.

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16 US states challenge Biden admin freeze on new LNG export approvals

Texas and 15 other US states filed a lawsuit on Thursday challenging the Biden administration's freeze on new liquefied natural gas exports.

Rape convict Robinho seeks to avoid Brazil jail time

Former Manchester City and Real Madrid footballer Robinho, ordered to serve a nine-year sentence in Brazil for raping a woman a decade ago, launched a last-minute bid Thursday to delay his jailing.

Exiled separatist Puigdemont says to run in Catalonia snap poll

Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont said Thursday he would run in Catalonia's snap May election in a move which could bring forward his return to Spain after years of self-imposed exile.

Brazil club president denounces silence on Robinho, Alves rape convictions

Palmeiras president Leila Pereira, the first woman at the head of the Brazilian club, lashed out at the football world Thursday for its silence on the rape convictions of stars Robinho and Dani Alves.

US sues Apple for running iPhone monopoly in wide-ranging lawsuit

The US Department of Justice sued Apple on Thursday for illegally maintaining a monopoly for its iPhone by stifling competition and imposing exorbitant costs on consumers.

High inflation in Turkey dampens Ramadan's high spirits

As the sun sets over the Bosphorus, a long queue forms on a street in Istanbul as people wait for iftar -- the evening meal that breaks Ramadan's daily fast.

'On brink of abyss,' Polish church ignores warning signs

With empty pews and seminaries and its moral authority in free fall, Poland's Catholic church is on the brink of the abyss, a reality analysts say it is choosing to ignore.

In Spain, hi-tech hops keep beer bitter as climate bites

Outside the warehouse in northwestern Spain, it's a freezing, foggy morning but inside it's balmy, the warmth and LED lights fooling 360 hop plants to flower as if it were late August.

Military evacuates more than 100 Australians as flood looms

More than 100 Australians were evacuated from a remote northern Australian town Thursday, as severe flooding from ex-tropical cyclone Megan was expected to hit.

Police search Spanish football federation offices over alleged corruption

Spanish police searched the Spanish football federation (RFEF) headquarters and its former president Luis Rubiales' house among other locations as part of an investigation into alleged corruption and other crimes, judicial sources said Wednesday.

Banksy mural to be protected after London paint attack

A London authority said on Wednesday it had imposed "temporary measures" around a new mural by British street artist Banksy, after it was defaced within days of appearing.

Paris caters for Olympic romance with 220,000 free condoms

Organisers of the Paris Olympics are to distribute 220,000 condoms to athletes who want to get romantic during this year's Games in the City of Love.

China blasts criticism of new Hong Kong security law

China blasted critics of Hong Kong's new national security law on Wednesday, after Western powers and the United Nations said it would further curtail freedoms in the finance hub.

China blasts criticism of new Hong Kong security law as 'smears'

China blasted critics of Hong Kong's new national security law on Wednesday, after Western powers and the United Nations said it would further curtail freedoms in the city.

Robinho awaits fate on serving nine-year rape sentence in Brazil

Brazil's justice system on Wednesday will decide whether former Manchester City and Real Madrid striker Robinho will serve his nine-year rape sentence, handed down by an Italian court, in the South American country.

Macron launches 'XXL' crackdown on French drug gangs

President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday launched a major operation against drug trafficking in Marseille and other French cities, saying that gangland battles that last year left dozens dead had made life a misery for residents.

Philips looks to AI as seeks to turn the page on defective respirators

Medical device manufacturer Philips is betting on innovation as artificial intelligence (AI) transforms the healthcare industry, its chief executive told AFP in an interview on Tuesday, as the company looks to turn the page on a massive recall of defective sleep respirators.

Police seek charges over Bolsonaro's fake Covid certificate

Brazil's police have recommended that former president Jair Bolsonaro be charged for the alleged forging of his Covid vaccination certificate, according to an investigation report published Tuesday.

Germany makes arrests over Sweden parliament attack plot

Two Afghans linked to the Islamic State group were arrested in Germany on Tuesday on suspicion of planning an attack around Sweden's parliament in retaliation for Koran burnings, prosecutors said.

Hong Kong legislature passes tough new national security law

Hong Kong legislators unanimously passed a new national security law on Tuesday that introduces penalties such as life imprisonment for crimes related to treason and insurrection, and up to 20 years in jail for the theft of state secrets.

Sea of coffins sounds alarm over work-related accidents in Italy

A thousand coffins filled one of Rome's most beautiful squares Tuesday as a trade union made a powerful statement on the number of deaths in work-related accidents.

Hong Kong legislature passes new national security law

Hong Kong's legislature unanimously passed a new national security law on Tuesday, introducing penalties such as life imprisonment for crimes related to treason and insurrection, and up to 20 years' jail for the theft of state secrets.

Negreira chooses not to testify in Barca ref scandal court appearance

Former refereeing chief Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira chose not to testify during a court appearance Tuesday regarding the alleged Barcelona bribery scandal.

Ex K-pop star leaves jail after five-year rape, spycam term

Former K-pop star Jung Joon-young left prison Tuesday after completing a five-year term for gang rape and illicit filming, in one of South Korea's high profile spycam scandals.

Apex Legends eSports event postponed by hacking claims

Organizers of the Apex Legends Global Series eSports tournament have postponed an event after two competitors appeared to be hacked while playing separate games during the North American finals.

China, India hail Putin election win; West brands it 'undemocratic'

Allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin including China and India congratulated him Monday on winning a fifth term in power but Western powers denounced the election as illegitimate, held under repressive conditions with no credible opposition.

Famine imminent in north Gaza, an 'unprecedented' crisis: UN

Half of Gazans are experiencing "catastrophic" hunger, with famine projected to hit the north of the territory by May unless there is urgent intervention, a United Nations-backed food security assessment warned Monday.

United CEO pledges enhanced safety drive after incidents

United Airlines is redoubling safety training following a number of incidents in recent weeks, the company's chief executive told customers Monday.

Gwendal Poullennec: the Michelin man with the power to make or break restaurants

As director of the Michelin Guide for the past five years, Gwendal Poullennec has the power to make the most hardened kitchen masters tremble in their chef's hat.

Famine imminent in north Gaza, 'unprecedented' crisis: UN

Half of Gazans are experiencing "catastrophic" hunger, with famine projected to hit the north of the territory by May without urgent intervention, a United Nations-backed food security assessment warned on Monday.

Revived TV drama breaks Iraq's taboos

After a 27-year hiatus, an Iraqi TV programme banned by Saddam Hussein for its gritty depiction of life under sanctions has returned to portray drug lords thriving in the war-scarred country.

Ito hailed by Reims coach for 'mental strength' amid sexual assault claim

Reims coach Will Still praised "key player" Junya Ito for the Japanese star's mental strength after he put off-field troubles to one side to score the winner as his club beat Metz 2-1 in Ligue 1 on Sunday.

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