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How Finnish youth learn to spot disinformation

Finland is consistently ranked as Europe's most media literate country and the skills needed to spot online hoaxes are on the school curriculum, amidst a boom of mis- and disinformation campaigns.

Support grows for Blake Lively over smear campaign claim

A chorus of support is growing behind actress Blake Lively after she filed a complaint alleging sexual harassment and a smear campaign against "It Ends With Us" co-star Justin Baldoni.

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Australian PM ready to 'engage' with Musk on social media teen ban

Australia's prime minister said Sunday he was ready to "engage" with billionaire X owner Elon Musk over his criticism of the government's ban on under-16s joining social media.

South Korea star Jung Woo-sung apologises after baby scandal

One of South Korea's top actors apologised after it was revealed he fathered a child with a woman he is not married to, sparking nationwide scrutiny in a country where births outside marriage are still seen as taboo.

Teen news boss criticises Australian social media ban

An Australian teenage news boss says landmark legislation barring under-16s from social media is a "really bad idea" that will stifle young people's creativity.

Five things to know about NewJeans' shock split from agency

Chart-topping group NewJeans shocked the K-pop world with their announcement that they are quitting their label ADOR over what they described as "mistreatment".

Social media companies slam Australia's under-16 ban

Social media giants on Friday hit out at a landmark Australian law banning them from signing up under-16s, describing it as a rush job littered with "many unanswered questions".

TikTok tactics shake up politics in Romania

Barely known a year ago, far-right candidate Calin Georgescu successfully dominated social network TikTok to emerge the shock winner of Romania's first-round presidential election -- an online campaign that has raised suspicions.

French luxury mogul Arnault defiant at ex-spy chief trial

France's richest man, LVMH chief Bernard Arnault, testified Thursday in the influence-peddling trial of the former head of France's domestic intelligence agency, denying any knowledge of an alleged scheme to protect the luxury group.

Ruby slippers from 'The Wizard of Oz' up for auction

Ruby slippers worn by actress Judy Garland in classic film "The Wizard of Oz" will be sold at auction next month, nearly 20 years after they were stolen.

Chinese island plastic pollution turned into artistic omens

As storm clouds gathered on a forgotten beach in China's Miaodao islands, artist Fu Junsheng picked his way through piles of plastic waste washed up along the shoreline, looking for inspiration.

Hello Kitty owner plunges 17% on sharesale plan

Shares in the Japanese entertainment giant behind the popular Hello Kitty brand plunged on Wednesday after major shareholders said they would reduce their stakes.

Hand-built fantasy tower brings value to Tokyo, creator says

Passers-by stop and stare at the ramshackle, hand-built concrete tower that looks like it has been lifted right out of a Japanese animation and dropped onto a real-life Tokyo street.

'American Railroad' musical project showcases untold immigrant stories

The Grammy- and Pulitzer-winning artist Rhiannon Giddens has long made music that sheds light on America's untold stories, and her latest project brings to the fore marginalized groups that built its railroad.

Rod Stewart to play Glastonbury legends slot

British rock star Rod Stewart is set to play the coveted legends slot at Glastonbury next year, over two decades after he headlined the iconic music festival, the organisers said Tuesday.

Social media firms raise 'serious concerns' over Australian U-16 ban

Australia's proposal to ban under-16s from social media platforms is "rushed", social media companies claimed Tuesday, expressing "serious concerns" about potential unintended consequences.

Bestselling 'Woman of Substance' author Barbara Taylor Bradford dies aged 91

Bestselling British-American writer Barbara Taylor Bradford, whose first novel "A Woman of Substance" turned her into an overnight success, has died aged 91, a spokeswoman said on Monday.

Notre Dame inspired Americans' love and help after fire

Through an avalanche of giving in amounts from $10 to $10 million, Americans have proved their love for Paris's Notre Dame cathedral, mobilizing to support the rebirth of a monument they hold dear.

'Gladiator II', 'Wicked' battle for N. American box office honors

Hollywood got respite from a slack few months as two much-anticipated new films -- Universal's "Wicked: Part I" and "Gladiator II" from Paramount -- roared to the top of the North American box office this weekend.

Breyten Breytenbach, writer who challenged apartheid, dies at 85

South African writer and anti-apartheid activist Breyten Breytenbach died on Sunday in Paris at the age of 85, his daughter told AFP.

Germany goes nuts for viral pistachio chocolate

When Ali Fakhro lays out a row of pistachio-filled chocolate bars in the morning at his bakery in Berlin, he knows they will be gone in a matter of hours.

Basel votes to stump up bucks to host Eurovision

Basel voters on Sunday overwhelmingly approved the city putting up nearly $40 million towards hosting next year's Eurovision Song Contest, meaning the glitzy annual TV extravaganza will go ahead with its full customary pomp.

Iran director in exile says 'bittersweet' to rep Germany at Oscars

Forced to flee Iran, dissident director Mohammad Rasoulof says it is bittersweet that his latest movie will contend at the Oscars -- under the banner of another country.

Chinese film about Covid-19 wins Taiwan's top Golden Horse prizes

A Chinese film set during the Covid-19 pandemic won the top prizes in Taiwan's prestigious Golden Horse Awards, which saw the highest number of entries from China in recent years despite political tensions.

Kendrick Lamar drops surprise new album

Rap superstar Kendrick Lamar surprised fans on Friday with the unannounced release of a 12-track album.

Alarm in France over fate of detained French-Algerian writer

Alarm grew in France on Friday over the fate of a prominent French-Algerian novelist detained in the country of his birth, with his publisher urging his immediate release and President Emmanuel Macron closely following the case.

Amazon invests another $4 bn in AI firm Anthropic

Amazon is doubling its investment in Anthropic to $8 billion in a deepened collaboration on artificial intelligence, the companies said Friday.

Rare Caravaggio shown to public for first time in Rome exhibition

A rarely seen painting by Italian master Caravaggio, part of a private collection, is going on display to the public for the first time in an exhibition in Rome.

Manchester attack survivors lose bid to sue intel agencies

More than 300 people affected by the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing on Friday lost their bid to sue Britain's domestic intelligence services for failing to take "appropriate measures" to prevent the attack.

Conductor Elim Chan wants to shake up 'dinosaur' orchestras

Since her first brush with fame a decade ago, Hong Kong-born conductor Elim Chan has fought a "long-term battle" against tired assumptions about herself, music and how orchestras should be run.

'Shrek' director tackles taboo in Netflix fairy tale 'Spellbound'

Animated films tackling parent separation and divorce are few and far between.

Fairuz, musical icon of war-torn Lebanon, turns 90

Legendary Arab singer Fairuz, whose ballads have told of love, her native Lebanon and the Palestinian cause, turned 90 on Thursday as her conflict-weary country is wracked by the Israel-Hezbollah war.

'World of Warcraft' still going strong as it celebrates 20 years

As it celebrates its 20th birthday, online video game "World of Warcraft" has demonstrated a rare longevity thanks to its loyal following and constant evolutions.

Australian eyes $30m fine for social media flouting under-16s ban

Social media companies could be fined more than US$30 million if they fail to keep children off their platforms, under new laws tabled before Australia's parliament Thursday.

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