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Pope calls for 'arms to be silenced' in Christmas appeal

Pope Francis called Wednesday for "arms to be silenced" around the world in his Christmas address, appealing for peace in the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan as he denounced the "extremely grave" humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Pope kicks off Christmas under shadow of war

Christmas revellers around the world donned red and white Santa hats, offered meals to the homeless and lit candles on Wednesday, as Pope Francis launched observation of the global holiday with a sombre mass in the Vatican.

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American burlesque meets Mexican wrestling in Lucha VaVOOM

Veronica Yune hangs upside down over the stage as she slowly undresses; below, wrestlers "Sexi" and "Mexi" gyrate their hips and steel themselves to face Dirty Sanchez in the ring.

Egypt unveils five ancient tombs in Saqqara necropolis

Egypt unveiled Saturday five ancient Pharaonic tombs at the Saqqara archaeological site south of Cairo, the latest in a series of landmark discoveries in the area.

Ballet greats unite for London Ukraine benefit gala

World famous ballet dancers from Russia and Ukraine, Argentina, Cuba, France and Japan come together on Saturday for a gala to raise funds for Ukraine and send a message of peace.

Last apps standing?: Telegram, WhatsApp duck Russia bans

Chat platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram have avoided being blocked by Russia -- unlike some of the world's biggest social networks -- in a tenuous tolerance that experts warn could end suddenly.

'Spring Break' returns to Miami Beach, to residents' dismay

Music, dancing, alcohol and tiny swimsuits -- spring vacation in the United States, popularly known as "spring break," brings thousands of young people to south Florida every year for a few days of uncontrolled fun, much to the chagrin of residents in cities like Miami Beach.

Moscow marks Crimea annexation with patriotic rally

A sea of Russian flags, pro-Kremlin pop stars, and state television unexpectedly cutting President Vladimir Putin mid-speech: Moscow on Friday marked eight years since its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, as its troops advanced further into the country.

Liberal young flee to Turkey's 'Little Russia'

In a dark stairwell in Istanbul, Alex, Micha and Nigina wait for keys to a temporary flat.

Seven charged in France over daylight robbery of 'Lupin' crew

France has charged seven youths over a massive daylight robbery from a film crew shooting the new season of hit Netflix heist series "Lupin", French prosecutors said Friday.

Tanzania Maasai torn over possible eviction from Ngorongoro reserve

For over a century, Tanzania's Maasai pastoralists have shared the famed Ngorongoro conservation area with zebras, elephants and wildebeests. But now they face the prospect of eviction as their exploding population poses a threat to wildlife.

Original 'Godzilla' actor Akira Takarada dies at 87

Japanese actor Akira Takarada, who starred in the original 1954 "Godzilla" and several later films featuring the city-wrecking monster, has died in Tokyo aged 87.

The battle to keep Russia's internet free

Western powers have seized the yachts of Russian oligarchs and booted Russian banks out of the international system in response to the Ukraine invasion, but sanctions that limit access to the internet are proving highly divisive.

'We're family': meet Thailand's 'Chicano' community

The crowd roars in the tightly packed room as the broad-shouldered, tattooed men stop pummelling a young recruit and smother him with hugs -- completing his initiation into one of Thailand's "Chicano" gangs.

Oscar spotlight shines on India's rural women journalists

An all-women team of smartphone-toting, low-caste reporters who chronicle India's hardscrabble heartland may give the cinema-mad country its first Oscar-winning film, after their own story became a critically lauded documentary.

Australia sues Facebook owner Meta over scam ads

Australia announced Friday it is suing Facebook owner Meta over scam adverts for cryptocurrency schemes that falsely claimed to be endorsed by prominent figures.

Porn star Ron Jeremy ordered to undergo psychiatric exams

Porn star Ron Jeremy was ordered Thursday to undergo psychiatric exams ahead of a trial on multiple sex charges against 21 women and girls.

Filmmakers rename 'Russian Arm' camera system 'U-Crane' after invasion

A camera system used in countless Hollywood films and previously known as the "Russian Arm" has been renamed by its inventors to "U-Crane" in tribute to the country it came from.

Amazon says MGM studios buyout is complete

Amazon has closed its $8.45 billion deal to buy the storied MGM studios, the online giant said Thursday, boosting its streaming ambitions with a catalog including the James Bond and Rocky film franchises.

Russia TV protester quits channel, turns down asylum offer

A Russian editor who protested Moscow's military action in Ukraine during a state TV news broadcast said Thursday she is quitting her job but not accepting France's asylum offer, calling herself "a patriot".

'Stop this war': Arnold Schwarzenegger to Putin

"Terminator" star Arnold Schwarzenegger appealed to Vladimir Putin on Thursday to end the "senseless" war in Ukraine and praised Russians protesting the conflict as his "new heroes."

Tom Cruise heading to Cannes for 'Top Gun' premiere

Tom Cruise is headed for the Cannes Film Festival in May for the long-delayed world premiere of the "Top Gun" sequel, the organisers said on Thursday.

Malian junta orders French broadcasters RFI, France 24 off air

Mali's ruling junta ordered French broadcasters RFI and France 24 off the air on Wednesday night, complaining they had falsely accused the army of committing abuses.

French film must be 'more spectacular', says top producer

France's film industry needs to focus on splashier productions to stay ahead in the streaming era and keep its cinemas alive, the head of Paris-based Pathe Films told AFP.

Pop royalty from Sting to Madonna denounce Russian war

Condemnation by Madonna, a Russian tour cancelled by Iggy Pop, Pink Floyd pulling out of streaming platforms -- Western music stars have rallied to the Ukrainian cause.

Star Russian dancer quits Bolshoi over war

Prima ballerina Olga Smirnova has quit the Bolshoi in Moscow to join the Dutch National Ballet, it was announced Wednesday, making her the first Russian to quit the fabled company over the war in Ukraine.

Ai Weiwei warns of 'shaking foundation' of democracy

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has revealed the "shaking foundation" of democracy, Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei said as he unveiled what he said was the biggest retrospective of his work to date.

'Happiest man' Kere first African to win Pritzker architecture prize

The Pritzker Prize, architecture's most prestigious award, was awarded Tuesday to Burkina Faso-born architect Diebedo Francis Kere -- the first African to win the honor in its more than 40-year history.

Russian court fines TV protester amid outcry

A Russian editor who protested against Moscow's military action in Ukraine during a prime-time news broadcast on state TV was released with a fine Tuesday after an international outcry over her detention.

Reel change: AMC's latest bet is in... mining

AMC Entertainment unveiled Tuesday a new bet likely to prompt a double-take from investors: the movie theater chain is investing $28 million in a precious metal miner.

Fox News cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski killed in Ukraine: network

A cameraman for Fox News, Pierre Zakrzewski, has been killed in Ukraine outside Kyiv, the US network said Tuesday.

Macron offers shelter for Russian editor held over TV protest

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday offered asylum or other forms of consular protection to a Russian journalist facing prison after she brandished a slogan protesting the war on Ukraine on live state-controlled TV.

Diebedo Francis Kere becomes first African to win Pritzker architecture prize

The Pritzker Prize, architecture's most prestigious award, was awarded Tuesday to Burkina Faso-born architect Diebedo Francis Kere, organizers announced -- the first African to win the honor in its more than 40-year history.

Ukraine memes proliferate despite grim realities of war

A giant Adolf Hitler bends down and pats a docile Vladimir Putin on the cheek, master to pupil, in a picture posted on Ukraine's official Twitter account on February 24 -- the day the invasion began.

Ancient tombs unearthed at Paris' Notre Dame cathedral

Several tombs and a leaden sarcophagus likely dating from the 14th century have been uncovered by archaeologists at Paris' Notre Dame cathedral following its devastating 2019 fire, France's culture ministry has said.

Paris graffiti legend C215 on his Ukraine mural

The huge blue-and-yellow mural covering the side of a Paris apartment block is a reminder, says Paris-based artist C215, of the human cost of the war in Ukraine.

Fake heiress Anna Sorokin to be deported to Germany: US media

Fake heiress Anna "Delvey" Sorokin, who was jailed in 2019 for scamming hundreds of thousands of dollars from hotels, banks and friends, and who inspired a hit series on Netflix, was to be extradited to Germany on Monday, US media said.

Fox News correspondent injured in Ukraine

A correspondent for Fox News was injured and hospitalized on Monday while covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the US television network said.

Jane Campion sorry over Williams sisters 'guys' jab

Oscar frontrunner Jane Campion apologized Monday to tennis greats Serena and Venus Williams over "thoughtless" comments she made at a Hollywood award ceremony.

Dolly Parton ducks out of Rock Hall of Fame running

Dolly Parton on Monday said she would withdraw her name from consideration for this year's class of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees.

Campion’s ‘Power of the Dog’ adds Critics Choice wins

Jane Campion rounded off a perfect weekend in Hollywood's award season by winning the top prizes at the Critics Choice Awards Sunday, setting her dark Western "The Power of the Dog" as the film to beat at the Oscars.

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