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Pioneering CNN founder Ted Turner dead at 87

Ted Turner, the flamboyant US entrepreneur who transformed television news with the creation of CNN in 1980, has died at the age of 87, the network said Wednesday.

Ghana artist's billboard campaign takes aim at fast fashion fallout

On a busy roadside in Accra, a billboard that would normally advertise soft drinks is draped in a cascade of worn shirts -- frayed collars, faded blues and greys and a striking circular pattern stitched at its centre.

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Protests as Venice Biennale opens in turmoil over Russian presence

Bare-breasted activists protested at the Venice Biennale on Wednesday, incensed over the return of Russia for the first time to the prestigious art festival since the Ukrainian war broke out.

Paris gets taste of Nigeria's Nollywood

Paris gets a taste of Nigeria's film industry on Wednesday with the start of the NollywoodWeek festival, with movies exploring love, family and duty, shorts and documentaries.

Venice Biennale opens in turmoil over Russian presence

Resignations, boycotts and threats to cut funding -- the Venice Biennale opens to the press on Wednesday in turmoil over the return of Russia for the first time since the Ukraine war broke out.

Hollywood star Malkovich gets Croatian citizenship

US actor John Malkovich, who has Croatian ancestry, was granted Croatian citizenship on Tuesday in a special ceremony.

Ex-model accuses French scout of grooming her for Epstein

Former French model Juliette G. says it took her years to make sense of how she ended up in a New York bedroom with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Top five moments from the Met Gala

The Met Gala turned New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art into the world's most glamorous red carpet, with A-list actors, musicians, athletes, artists and designers coming together for charity -- and offering their best looks.

Stars shine at Met Gala, fashion's biggest night

The brightest stars in Hollywood, music, sports and style hit the red carpet Monday for the Met Gala, the extravagant Manhattan charity ball that this year spotlights the intersection between fashion and art.

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.

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.

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.

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 Japan Times - Culture (English)