Bombay Durpun - Culture

A real gem: in Bahrain, only natural pearls will do

Customers at a Bahrain jewellery store study displays of pearls that are, unusually, 100 percent natural -- the result of attempts to preserve a centuries-old industry.

At a ballet in Lima shantytown, dancers - and self-esteem - soar

On a barren shantytown hill in Lima, a group of girls in white leggings gamely tiptoe around a rocky, dusty path. "And onnnne, twoooo, threee, fourrr", hums the ballet instructor whose day job is selling trash.

Chris Evans 'Ghosted' by CIA agent Ana de Armas in Apple romantic comedy

Though he is best known as a superhero, Chris Evans has taken on the sidekick part in the upcoming movie "Ghosted," playing a boyfriend unwittingly pulled into the adventures of his CIA agent girlfriend, portrayed by Ana de Armas.

The Big Sort: Twitter ticks check out

Elon Musk's long promised move to strip free blue ticks from Twitter users swung into action on Thursday, dividing the have-paids from the have-nots.

Twitter's blue ticks start vanishing

Twitter began the mass removal of its blue ticks on Thursday, as the symbol previously used to signify a verified account vanished from users including the Pope, Donald Trump and Justin Bieber.

BuzzFeed to close news operation

BuzzFeed announced Thursday that it was shutting its news division as part of cost-saving cuts, signalling the end of one of the most notable news websites of the internet era.

BuzzFeed says shutting down newsroom: CEO memo

BuzzFeed announced Thursday that it was shutting its news division, signalling the end of one of the most notable news websites of the internet era.

Schumacher family plan legal action over fake AI quotes

Michael Schumacher's family said Thursday they were planning legal action against German magazine Die Aktuelle for using an artificial intelligence programme to generate fake quotes from the seven-time Formula One champion.

Snapchat seeks path to profit without losing its way

Snapchat parent Snap on Wednesday unveiled new tactics including the increased use of artificial intelligence in its struggle to expand beyond the app's loyal user base and reach profitability.

Mexican poet Octavio Paz's legacy on display 25 years after death

A quarter century after his death, the cultural legacy of Mexican literary giant Octavio Paz is going on display at the poet's former home in Mexico City.

Frank Ocean scraps second Coachella set due to leg injury

R&B singer Frank Ocean has withdrawn from his scheduled headline slot at the second weekend of the Coachella music festival due to a leg injury, his publicist said Wednesday.

Pixar's 'Elemental' to close Cannes festival

The latest Pixar film, "Elemental", will get its world premiere as the closing film of the Cannes Film Festival next month, the organisers announced on Wednesday.

Ancient necropolis unearthed next to busy Paris train station

Just metres from a busy train station in the heart of Paris, scientists have uncovered 50 graves in an ancient necropolis which offer a rare glimpse of life in the French capital's precursor Lutetia nearly 2000 years ago.

Fox faces stain of 'disinformation engine' despite settlement

Fox News averted a potentially humiliating defamation trial after a last-minute settlement Tuesday, but it took a reputational beating that observers said was unlikely to spur the influential broadcaster to tame its "disinformation engine."

Ruben Ostlund on Cannes jury duty and next 'history-making' film

Swedish director Ruben Ostlund vowed to keep his ego in check as jury head in Cannes, and also told AFP why his next film may cause the biggest walkout in the festival's history.

'Stamp of approval': Twitter's Musk amplifies misinformation

Elon Musk promised to make Twitter the "most accurate source of information about the world," but he has repeatedly used his own account to amplify false claims from some of the most notorious disinformers on the internet, according to an AFP analysis of his online activity.

Netflix subscribers at record high, password crackdown coming

Netflix on Tuesday said that its number of subscribers hit a record high 232.5 million in the first quarter of the year and that its nascent ad-supported tier was faring well.

Fox News settles defamation case for $787.5 mn, avoiding trial

Fox News reached a $787.5 million settlement Tuesday in a defamation case brought by voting technology company Dominion that alleged the network knowingly aired false claims linking its machines to a conspiracy to undermine the 2020 US election.

Fox News settles defamation case for $787.5 mn

Fox News reached a $787.5 million settlement Tuesday in a defamation case brought by voting technology company Dominion that alleged the network knowingly aired false claims linking its machines to a conspiracy to undermine the 2020 US presidential election.

US reporter denied bail as Russia steps up pressure on opponents

US reporter Evan Gershkovich was on Tuesday denied bail as he appeared at a Moscow court for alleged espionage in a case that has drawn international condemnation.

Fox News on trial in $1.6 bn defamation case

Opening arguments begin Tuesday in a major defamation trial against Fox News that tests the extent of free speech rights for media in America -- even when broadcasting election falsehoods.

Detained US reporter makes first public Russian court appearance

US reporter Evan Gershkovich appeared at a Moscow court on Tuesday, in the first partly open hearing since his arrest for alleged espionage, in a case that has drawn international condemnation.

Michelle Yeoh urges women to resist being 'put in a box'

Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh spoke up on Tuesday for diversity and women's empowerment in the entertainment industry, telling reporters in Kuala Lumpur "we should never allow somebody to put us in a box".

BTS' J-Hope becomes second band member to enlist for military service

BTS star J-Hope was set to start his mandatory South Korean military service on Tuesday, local media reported, becoming the K-pop juggernaut's second member to enlist, prompting an outpouring of well-wishes from fans.

'Living gallery': fighting to save Hong Kong's fading neon signs

Neon signs once transformed Hong Kong's oldest neighbourhoods into a kaleidoscope of luminous colour after dark, but most have been removed with a few lucky ones now piled up in a ramshackle yard.

Venezuela's Maduro launches new TV show, a year ahead of presidential poll

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday launched his own television show on a public channel, a year before the next presidential elections are due.

Fox defamation trial delayed with reports of settlement talks

A defamation trial related to falsehoods about the 2020 US presidential election aired on Fox News was delayed Monday as the network reportedly sought to settle with vote machine maker Dominion.

Takeaways from 2023's history-making Coachella

Coachella's first weekend made history, brought back rock and boasted one of its most international slates ever, all while offering no shortage of its customary barely there fashion.

Coachella globalizes in step with international music trends

The original 1999 Coachella lineup was decidedly oriented towards rock acts and full of white men, but today, the premier music festival's lineup is more diverse and international than ever.

'Phantom of the Opera' ends record run with final Broadway bow

After 35 years and almost 14,000 performances, the curtain fell for the final time Sunday on the longest-running show in Broadway history -- "The Phantom of the Opera."

'Monetizing hate': Unease as misinformation swirls on Twitter

When the iconic US diaper company Huggies was swamped with false pedophilia allegations last month, the conspiracy was traced to a once-banned influencer reinstated to Twitter by Elon Musk.

American jazz piano great Ahmad Jamal dead at 92

Ahmad Jamal, a towering and influential US jazz pianist, composer and band leader whose career spanned more than seven decades, died at age 92 on Sunday, according to news reports.

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