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New BTS album to drop ahead of comeback mega-gig

K-pop megastars BTS release an album Friday billed as reflecting the maturing boy band's Korean roots and identity, as buzz builds ahead of their open-air comeback concert in the heart of Seoul.

'The Bachelorette' canned after star's violent video emerges

"The Bachelorette," one of America's highest profile reality TV shows, was cancelled Thursday just days before the new season was due to air, after video emerged of the show's star hurling furniture at her ex-partner, in an incident that apparently injured her daughter.

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'Pickypockets!' vigilante pairs with social media on London streets

On a recent weekday, Diego Galdino was on the hunt for pickpockets in central London, patrolling tourist hotspots for familiar suspects and telltale signs of those about to commit thefts.

US suspends visas for Gazans after far-right influencer posts

The US government said Saturday it is suspending visitor visas for Gazans after a far-right influencer with the ear of President Donald Trump complained that wounded Palestinians had been allowed to seek medical treatment in the United States.

Falsehoods swirl around Trump-Putin summit

From false claims of a Ukrainian assassin shot dead in Alaska to baseless reports of Russia declaring the sale of the territory to the United States illegal, misinformation has swirled around the summit between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.

Historic Swedish church being moved as giant mine casts growing shadow

A historic red wooden church considered one of Sweden's most beautiful buildings is to be moved from its longtime home in the Arctic town of Kiruna next week as part of a campaign to expand Europe's biggest underground mine.

Indonesian roof tilers flex muscles to keep local industry alive

A young Indonesian man turns his back to a crowd, flexing his oiled-up muscles before picking up a stack of roof tiles, holding as many as he can in a pose reminiscent of Mr. Olympia.

Taylor Swift sets October release for new album

Taylor Swift's "The Life of a Showgirl" will be released on October 3, the star has revealed, as she showcased cover art and a tracklist for what is expected to be one of the biggest albums of the year.

Hong Kong court to hear closing arguments in mogul Jimmy Lai's trial

Jailed Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai's national security trial, which began in late 2023, will enter its final stages on Thursday as lawyers present closing arguments.

US singer Billy Joel to sell off motorcycles due to health condition

US pop great Billy Joel will auction the motorcycle collection he maintains in New York state after being diagnosed with a brain condition that forced him to cancel a planned tour, his management said Wednesday.

Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88

Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim, famed for his critiques of political repression, neoliberalism and Western hegemony, has died at the age of 88, the culture ministry announced on Wednesday.

Czech film takes 'conspiracy nuts' on Ukraine war tour

Two men and a woman driven by disinformation and denying the Russian invasion of Ukraine are the unlikely protagonistsof a Czech documentary that will premiere this month.

US denounces Europe on speech in pared-down rights report

The United States on Tuesday alleged that human rights were worsening in Western Europe due to internet regulations, in a pared-down annual global report that spared partners of President Donald Trump such as El Salvador.

Taylor Swift announces 12th album for 'pre pre-order'

US popstar Taylor Swift announced her 12th album, titled "The Life of a Showgirl," for "pre pre-order" just after midnight Tuesday in posts on her website.

Harry and Meghan sign reduced deal with Netflix

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will continue to develop film and TV projects for Netflix but on more limited terms, the streaming giant announced Monday.

China's Gen Z women embrace centuries-old script

At a studio in central China's Hunan province, a teacher grips an ink brush, gently writing characters of a secret script created by women centuries ago and now being embraced by a new generation.

With poetry and chants, Omanis strive to preserve ancient language

Against the backdrop of southern Oman's lush mountains, men in traditional attire chant ancient poems in an ancient language, fighting to keep alive a spoken tradition used by just two percent of the population.

'Weapons' battles to top of North American box office

"Weapons," a new horror film about the mysterious disappearance of a group of children from the same school class, opened atop the North American box office with $42.5 million in ticket sales, industry estimates showed Sunday.

Antonio Banderas rules out retirement as he turns 65

Spanish film star Antonio Banderas said in an interview published Sunday for his birthday that he has no plans to slow down now that he has reached 65.

Historic Spanish mosque-cathedral reopens after blaze

A fire at a historic mosque-turned-cathedral in Cordoba in southern Spain caused only "very localised damage," the city's mayor said Saturday as the site reopened to the public.

Fire contained, historic mosque-cathedral in southern Spain 'saved'

A fire broke out in the historic mosque-turned-cathedral in Cordoba on Friday but the monument was saved as firefighters quickly contained it, the Spanish city's mayor said.

New Instagram location sharing feature sparks privacy fears

Instagram users are warning about a new location sharing feature, fearing that the hugely popular app could be putting people in danger by revealing their whereabouts without their knowledge.

Library user borrows rare Chinese artwork, returns fakes: US officials

A California library user who allegedly took home rare Chinese manuscripts and returned fake ones in their place has been charged with $216,000-worth of theft, US officials said Thursday.

Disney settles Trump-supporting 'Star Wars' actor lawsuit

A "Star Wars" actor who sued Disney for firing her over inflammatory social media posts about the Holocaust, the pandemic and trans rights has reached a settlement with the Hollywood studio, the entertainment giant announced Thursday.

U can't pay this: MC Hammer sued over delinquent car loan

Baggy pants-wearing rapper MC Hammer is being sued in a US court for allegedly failing to pay off a car loan.

Eddie Palmieri, Latin music trailblazer, dies at 88

Eddie Palmieri, who revolutionized Latin music and played a major role in the salsa explosion in New York City, passed away Wednesday at the age of 88, according to the artist's official social media account.

Japan's World Cosplay Summit to escape summer heat in 2027

Dressing up at the World Cosplay Summit can be makeup-meltingly sweaty in Japan's baking summer, and after this year's event in record heat, organisers have pushed the 2027 edition to November.

Kinky knots: Japanese bondage becomes art

In Tokyo, a man watches a woman slowly bind another with ropes attached to chains hanging from the ceiling. But this is no S&M bar, it's a workshop led by "shibari" master Hajime Kinoko.

Egypt sets opening of $1 bn Pyramids museum for Nov 1

Egypt said on Wednesday that its much-anticipated new $1-billion archaeological museum near the Pyramids of Giza will officially open on November 1 after several delays.

Backlash after 'interview' with AI avatar of US school shooting victim

Independent journalist Jim Acosta faced a torrent of online criticism Wednesday after he posted an "interview" conducted with an AI avatar of a US school shooting victim.

Russian cover bands take centre stage as big names stay away

In a Moscow nightclub, some 100 heavy metal fans belted out Metallica's hit song, "For whom the bell tolls!"

Meta says working to thwart WhatsApp scammers

Meta on Tuesday said it shut nearly seven million WhatsApp accounts linked to scammers in the first half of this year and is ramping up safeguards against such schemes.

German club backs out of signing Israel striker after fan backlash

Bundesliga 2 side Fortuna Duesseldorf has pulled out of signing Israel striker Shon Weissman in response to fan anger about his social media posts on the Gaza war, German tabloid Bild reported Tuesday.

Gen Z shift, high costs force UK nightclubs to reinvent

Is the party over? UK nightclubs are famed around the world, but Covid and inflation have hit the sector hard, forcing businesses to reinvent themselves to attract new generations to the dance floor.

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