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Life with Vanessa Paradis was 'bliss', says Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp's life with former French partner Vanessa Paradis and their two children was "bliss", the US actor told AFP in an interview on Thursday.
EU could hit X with fine before 2025 ends
The European Union could fine Elon Musk's X platform for breaking its digital rules by the end of 2025 -- two years into a probe that has tested the bloc's resolve to police the online space.
Miss Universe owners in Mexico, Thailand hit with fraud, trafficking claims
The Miss Universe beauty pageant was hit by fresh scandal days after it ended, with the Mexican co-owner of the contest accused of trafficking drugs and arms and his Thai counterpart accused of fraud.
Mystery foot belongs to ancient human relative: scientists
Newly discovered fossils prove that a mysterious foot found in Ethiopia belongs to a little-known, recently named ancient human relative who lived alongside the species of the famous Lucy, scientists said Wednesday.
Internet rights group challenges Australia under-16 social media ban
An internet rights group launched a legal challenge Wednesday to halt world-first Australian laws that will soon ban under-16s from social media.
Thai court issues arrest warrant for Miss Universe co-owner
A Thai court has issued an arrest warrant for the media mogul co-owner of the Miss Universe beauty pageant over alleged fraud worth $930,000, a court official told AFP on Wednesday.
With 'Zootopia 2,' Disney continues its battle against prejudice
The sentient animals of the fictional city of Zootopia are back with a fairytale for our times, examining how the powerful exploit our prejudices, in a family-friendly movie Disney hopes will be a big holiday hit.
Pianist behind Paris 'Bohemian Rhapsody' flash mob aims higher
The man behind a recent viral video featuring musicians playing Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" to stunned bystanders in a Paris square has revealed to AFP the meticulous work that went into his latest, even bigger production.
Prosecutors seek jail for Italian influencer Ferragni in fraud case
Italian prosecutors asked a court on Tuesday to sentence fashion influencer Chiara Ferragni to one year and eight months in prison if found guilty of alleged fraud over charity endorsement deals.
Based in US or Nigeria? Musk's X erupts over location feature
Elon Musk's X erupted in uproar after the rollout of a feature revealing an account's location, exposing what users describe as global troll farms and influence operations on the platform -- including in support of President Donald Trump.
BBC launches hunt for new boss as Trump row rumbles on
The BBC on Monday formally launched its search for a new chief following the resignation of Tim Davie over a misleading edit of Donald Trump that sparked a row with the US president.
US tells EU to rethink tech rules to secure lower steel duties
The United States on Monday urged the European Union to rethink its approach to digital regulation if it wants a deal to lower painful US tariffs on the bloc's steel exports.
Reggae icon and 'cultural giant' Jimmy Cliff dead at 81
Jimmy Cliff, the iconic reggae star who helped transform the island's rhythmic music into a global cultural phenomenon, has died, his wife said Monday. He was 81.
Germany Hollywood veteran Udo Kier dead at 81
German actor Udo Kier, whose offbeat charisma made him a cult figure in both arthouse and Hollywood cinema, has died at 81 in California, US magazine Variety reported.
Bollywood's 'He-Man' Dharmendra dies aged 89
India's hugely popular star Dharmendra was lovingly known as the "He-Man" of Bollywood, thanks to his roles in a string of action movies that cemented his legacy spanning more than six decades and 250 films.
Snapchat begins age checks in Australia ahead of social media ban
Snapchat has begun asking teenage Australians to verify their ages, a company spokesperson said Monday, just weeks before Canberra enforces sweeping laws banning under-16s from social media.
UK far-right figures stoke digital ID fears with unproven claims
Plans for a new nationwide UK digital ID are sparking widespread public concern, but some critics including far-right politicians are fuelling fears with unproven claims that it will be used to boost government control over people's lives.
'Wicked' sequel sees green in weekend-winning N. America debut
Universal's musical sequel "Wicked: For Good" stole the box office spotlight in its North America debut this weekend, with a record-setting haul to the tune of $150 million, industry estimates showed Sunday.
Chinese star Fan Bingbing wins Taiwan top film award
Chinese superstar Fan Bingbing won best actress at Taiwan's prestigious Golden Horse Awards on Saturday, earning accolades for an uncharacteristic farmer role as she eyes a rebound after a tax evasion scandal wrecked her career.
Irish fashion designer Paul Costelloe dies aged 80
Irish-American fashion titan Paul Costelloe, who was the late Princess Diana's personal designer for over a decade, has died aged 80, his family said in a statement Saturday.
Chinese star Fan Bingbing eyes Taiwan top film award
Chinese superstar Fan Bingbing was the talk of town as she was tipped to win the best award actress and make a surprise appearance at Taiwan's prestigious Golden Horse Awards Saturday.
Ken Follett: 'There can't be boring bits in my books'
Despite a half-century career as one of the world's top-selling authors, 38 books and a bulging bank account, Ken Follett told AFP he still worries about one of his readers struggling with a "dull" page.
Frida Kahlo painting sells for $54.7 mn in record for female artist
A self-portrait by celebrated Mexican artist Frida Kahlo sold for $54.66 million in New York on Thursday, setting a record for the price of a painting by a woman, the auction house Sotheby's said.
A big deal: Robert Therrien's huge sculptures on show in LA
Towering stacks of oversized saucers and furniture fit for giants are some of the treasures on display in Los Angeles at a new exhibition of the work of Robert Therrien.
Iranian director Jafar Panahi ramps up French Oscars campaign
After years of being banned from leaving Iran, filmmaker Jafar Panahi is enjoying his tour of the United States -- visiting Los Angeles, New York and Telluride -- as he promotes his Oscar-hopeful "It Was Just an Accident."
Livestream giant Twitch to ban under-16s in Australia
Livestream giant Twitch will be forced to remove all users under the age of 16 when Australia's strict social media laws take effect next month, Canberra's online regulator said Friday.
Colombia shows first treasures recovered from 300-year-old shipwreck
Colombian authorities on Thursday showed off the first objects to be recovered from a treasure-crammed Spanish galleon that sank off the coast 300 years ago: three gold and bronze coins, a canon and a porcelain cup.
Meta to remove under-16 Australians from Facebook, Instagram on December 4
Australians younger than 16 will be removed from Facebook and Instagram on December 4, tech giant Meta said Thursday, as Canberra prepares to enforce sweeping laws banning teens from social media.
Manga's roots and influence celebrated in Paris exhibition
Featuring ancient narrative scrolls and medieval theatre masks, a new manga exhibition in Paris traces the global phenomenon's history back to its roots in traditional Japanese art forms.
Governance and rape allegations threaten famed French comics festival
One of the world's biggest comics festivals, which draws top graphic novelists and cartoonists each year, was close to cancellation on Wednesday after publishers pulled their support and the French government piled pressure on organisers.
Christie's suspends Paris sale of world's 'first calculator'
Christie's said Wednesday it was suspending the Paris auction of one of just a handful of examples of the world's first calculating machine, developed by French mathematician and inventor Blaise Pascal in 1642.
Rediscovering Iznik's lost art of vibrant Ottoman tilemaking
For over 300 years, the closely-guarded secrets of the Ottoman Empire's luminous tilework was lost, but its rediscovery has revived a key part of Turkey’s cultural heritage.