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End of a love affair: news media quit X over 'disinformation'

News outlets have begun quitting X, formerly Twitter, once a favourite of global media but now accused of enabling the spread of disinformation under its owner, president-elect Donald Trump ally Elon Musk.

Jeff Beck guitar collection to go under the hammer in January

A collection of guitars and other musical equipment owned by influential rock guitarist Jeff Beck will go on sale in London in January, Christie's auctioneers announced on Friday.

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Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac dead at 79

Christine McVie, the English hitmaker and keyboardist who found fame in the 1970s as a member of Fleetwood Mac, died Wednesday, the band and her family said. She was 79 years old.

Cuban rum masters' tradition declared UNESCO cultural heritage

The traditional knowledge held by Cuba's light rum masters was on Wednesday added to UNESCO's list of intangible heritage, a prestigious designation that recognizes a tradition dating back eight generations on the island.

French baguettes get UNESCO heritage status

The French baguette -- "250 grams of magic and perfection," in the words of President Emmanuel Macron, and one of the abiding symbols of the nation -- was given UNESCO heritage status on Wednesday.

Yellow the new black as World Cup fashion sweeps Brazil

In a yellow-and-green outfit with matching shoes, eye glitter and fingernails, Julia Barbosa is on her way to watch Brazil's big match in a Sao Paulo bar.

Chile ceramics, Colombian wisdom get UNESCO heritage status

Two social traditions from South America were honored Tuesday as UNESCO recognized the rapidly disappearing skill required to make black pottery in Chile and the ancient knowledge of Colombian Indigenous groups as intangible cultural heritage practices.

Rare 'Don Quixote' editions sold in UK go up for auction

Ed Maggs examines a shelf of leather-bound antique books that his family have been selling from their landmark London shop for the last 170 years.

Lights go out on Hungary stadiums, theatres as energy crisis bites

Rocketing energy bills are forcing Hungary to shutter libraries, theatres, swimming pools and even its new football stadiums for winter.

'Bachelor's handbag' enters Aussie lexicon

Bachelor's handbag – a roast chicken takeaway in a plastic bag -- has been voted the Australian people's choice as the new word of the year, the Macquarie Dictionary said on Tuesday.

Metallica announces new album, world tour

Metallica on Monday announced a global tour and its forthcoming 12th studio album, "72 seasons," its first since 2016.

China arrests BBC journalist covering Covid protests

The BBC said on Sunday one of its journalists in China had been arrested and beaten by police while covering protests against the country's zero-Covid policy.

Meta calls for UK govt rethink over plans to scrap EU laws

Facebook owner Meta is urging UK lawmakers considering legislation to scrap all retained European Union laws by 2024 to maintain some e-commerce rules to keep Britain globally competitive.

Elizabeth Taylor's 'lucky charm' Oscar dress found in suitcase in London

A "lucky charm" Christian Dior dress worn by Elizabeth Taylor on the night she won best actress at the 1961 Oscars is to be sold at auction next month, after being stored in a suitcase in London for over 50 years.

Inflation clouds 'Black Friday' kickoff of US holiday shopping season

Retailers unveiled a trove of fresh seasonal promotions Friday, as they try to coax sales from reticent shoppers whose holiday cheer has been tempered by inflation and worries over a softening economy.

Wartime Beckmann portrait poised for auction record

A remarkable wartime self-portrait of painter Max Beckmann will be auctioned in Germany next week, valued at a record-setting estimate of up to 30 million euros.

Twitter aims to diversify beyond advertising, but can it be done?

Is it a pipe dream or possibility? Elon Musk wants to diversify Twitter's revenue stream beyond advertising, a feat none of the biggest social networks have yet pulled off.

Musk announces 'amnesty' for banned Twitter accounts after poll

Elon Musk said Thursday many previously suspended Twitter accounts would be allowed back on the platform after a landslide of users responding to an informal poll by the new owner voted in favor of the move.

Musk poll shows respondents want to reinstate suspended Twitter accounts

A landslide of Twitter users responding to an informal poll by new owner Elon Musk voted in favor of a general amnesty for suspended accounts on the platform.

Afropop star Aya Nakamura's domestic violence trial adjourned

The domestic violence trial of Franco-Malian superstar singer Aya Nakamura and her former partner was adjourned on Thursday with neither defendant appearing in court in Paris.

For political activists, Twitter packs a vital punch

From the Arab Spring uprisings to the MeToo movement in which women spoke up about sexual assaults, Twitter has proven itself a formidable ally for political activists and opposition groups, one whose reach and impact would be difficult to replace.

Afropop star Aya Nakamura faces court over domestic violence

Franco-Malian singer Aya Nakamura will appear in court on Thursday in Paris along with her former partner after they were charged with domestic violence following a row at their home in August.

UK retailer Boohoo denies 'slave' labour claims

British online fashion retailer Boohoo on Wednesday denied allegations that staff in a UK warehouse worked in harrowing and health-threatening conditions and regarded themselves as "slaves".

Musicians in French-speaking Africa eye global market through streaming

The wildfire popularity of streaming platforms has hoisted Nigerian and other artists from English-speaking Africa to unprecedented popularity around the world.

Rebel dancer suddenly quits Paris Opera: statement

One of the best-known male dancers at the Paris Opera, who has won a big following outside ballet for working as a judge on the French equivalent of "Strictly Come Dancing", on Wednesday quit the company after months of tension.

Blanchett and Yeoh films top indie Spirit Award nominations

Michelle Yeoh's "Everything Everywhere All At Once" and Cate Blanchett's "Tar" led the Spirit Awards nominations Tuesday, underlining their credentials as the indie films to watch this awards season.

'As Time Goes By': Casablanca bar celebrates film classic, 80 years on

Tourists are flocking to a bar in Morocco searching for the spirit of Humphrey Bogart's iconic, fictional nightclub, 80 years after the classic wartime film "Casablanca" hit the silver screen.

Cuban singer Pablo Milanes dies in Madrid at 79

Acclaimed Cuban singer, songwriter and guitarist Pablo Milanes died early Tuesday in Spain, where he had been hospitalized in recent days, his agent said. He was 79.

Six staffers from Hong Kong's Apple Daily plead guilty to foreign collusion

Six senior staffers from Hong Kong's shuttered pro-democracy tabloid Apple Daily pleaded guilty to colluding with foreign forces on Tuesday, and could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Star soprano Renee Fleming returns to Met opera with 'The Hours'

A powerhouse trio of American song will interpret the voice of Virginia Woolf on New York's prestigious Metropolitan Opera stage, as the highly anticipated run of "The Hours" makes its world premiere Tuesday.

To strengthen ties, ancient Maya gifted neighbors a spider monkey

Seventeen hundred years ago, a female spider monkey was presented as a treasured gift -- and later brutally sacrificed -- to strengthen ties between two major powers of pre-Hispanic America, according to a new study.

Horseman and hero: Who is Argentina's 21st century gaucho?

Riders in berets, espadrilles and traditional neck scarves stand out against a dust cloud enveloping a melee of hundreds of horses as they expertly herd the animals.

'Wakanda' extends its box-office reign in N.American theaters

Disney and Marvel's "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" dominated the North American box office for a second straight weekend, taking in an estimated $67.3 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

Museum of London packs up for £250 mn move

King Charles I's execution vest and 20,000 human remains are among the objects that need to be packed up as the Museum of London makes a daunting £250 million ($260 million) move.

Twitter turmoil, staff exodus aggravate security concerns

Twitter's owner Elon Musk has pledged the platform will not become a "hellscape," but experts fear a staff exodus following mass layoffs may have devastated its ability to combat misinformation, impersonation and data theft.

French-speaking bloc to focus on development at Tunisia summit

The world's club of French-speaking countries will meet in Tunisia from Saturday for talks focused on economic cooperation, more than a year after President Kais Saied began an internationally criticised power grab.

Amid Twitter chaos, Musk reveals new vision for hate content

After turning Twitter upside down, Elon Musk on Tuesday tried to clarify his plans for content moderation, a key issue for the future of the influential platform after the departure of advertisers and top executives.

Will any music stars perform in Qatar?

Several global stars have refused to take part in the opening ceremony of the Qatar World Cup, and with two days to go, it is still not clear who will perform.

Taylor Swift hits out at 'excruciating' Ticketmaster tour chaos

Taylor Swift on Friday lashed out at Ticketmaster over the botched sale of her upcoming tour, saying it was "excruciating" to learn that thousands of her fans had struggled to buy tickets.

Superhero turned soccer club owner Ryan Reynolds honored by Hollywood

From subversive superheroes to sports documentaries, Hollywood A-lister Ryan Reynolds said he is focused on exploring new forms of storytelling, as he received a prestigious film industry honor.

Uruguay's Jorge Drexler eclipses Bad Bunny at Latin Grammys

Uruguay's top musical export Jorge Drexler overshadowed megastar Bad Bunny's hype at Thursday's Latin Grammys, scoring seven trophies including Best Record during the gala that saw Spain's Rosalia take home the coveted top album award.

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