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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.

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Toronto film fest opens with Miyazaki's likely swan song

The biggest film festival in North America opens Thursday in Toronto with the international launch of Oscar-winning Japanese animation master Hayao Miyazaki's likely last movie, as the twin Hollywood strikes drag on.

Japan boyband agency admits founder's sexual abuse

The president of Japan's biggest boyband agency admitted on Thursday that its late founder sexually abused young aspiring stars, decades after the allegations against him first emerged.

Syria's ancient adobe houses threatened by war, displacement

Traditional mud-brick houses that the people of northern Syria have built for thousands of years risk disappearing, as 12 years of war have emptied villages and left the buildings crumbling.

Google to require political ads to disclose AI creations

Google on Wednesday said it will mandate that political advertisements on its platforms disclose when images and audio have been altered or created using tools such as artificial intelligence (AI).

Iconic Freddie Mercury memorabilia sells for over £3 mn

The piano Queen frontman Freddie Mercury used to compose almost all of his greatest songs and the original manuscript for "Bohemian Rhapsody" were snapped up for over £3 million Wednesday when they went under the hammer in London.

Honorary Oscars gala postponed until January amid strikes

The Governors Awards gala, at which honorary Oscars are handed out for lifetime achievement, has been pushed back from November to January, organizers said Wednesday, as Hollywood reels from the ongoing actors' and writers' strikes.

Iconic Freddie Mercury memorabilia goes under the hammer

The baby grand piano Queen frontman Freddie Mercury used to compose almost all of his greatest songs and the original manuscript for "Bohemian Rhapsody" were snapped up Wednesday when they went under the hammer in London.

Hard-hitting migrant films tighten Venice race

The blistering tale of an African's journey to Europe and a moving film about refugees at Poland's border, which has angered its government, have tightened the race at the Venice Film Festival.

Thousands of Freddie Mercury's personal items go on sale

A sale of thousands of items belonging to the charismatic Queen frontman Freddie Mercury got under way Wednesday in London, with the graffiti-covered green door of Mercury's home first to go under the hammer.

Rolling Stones album of new songs out next month

The Rolling Stones will release their first album of new music in 18 years next month, lead singer Mick Jagger, fellow founding bandmate Keith Richards and bass guitarist Ronnie Wood announced Wednesday in London.

'Door is open' says first black US director at Venice

US director Ava DuVernay said she hoped that her entry in Venice on Wednesday, "Origin", would set a precedent as the first by "an African-American woman" at the world's oldest film festival.

The Rolling Stones in dates

As legendary English rock band The Rolling Stones launch their first album in nearly two decades, AFP looks back at standout moments in more than 60 years together.

New Rolling Stones album out next month

The Rolling Stones will release their first album of new music in 18 years next month, lead singer Mick Jagger announced on Wednesday.

Early humans deliberately made mysterious stone 'spheroids'

The early ancestors of humans deliberately made stones into spheres 1.4 million years ago, a study said on Wednesday, though what prehistoric people used the balls for remains a mystery.

French actor Kassovitz sends message to fans from hospital bed

French actor Mathieu Kassovitz, director of the 1995 film "La Haine", on Wednesday thanked fans for their support following his serious motorbike accident which left him with a broken femur and ankle.

Thousands of Freddie Mercury's personal items to go on sale

Thousands of items belonging to the charismatic Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, from manuscripts of his band's biggest hits to furniture, paintings and knick-knacks are on auction in London from Wednesday.

In inflation-hit Buenos Aires, tango enthusiasts sway the blues away

Argentina's biting economic crisis cannot keep tango enthusiasts from seeking out the haunting tunes of piano and concertina music at a dwindling number of dance halls in the capital.

Venice to trial ticketing system from spring 2024

Venice will trial a ticketing system from spring next year, officials said Tuesday, with day-trippers charged five euros to enter the historic Italian city in a "trailblazing" bid to cut tourist numbers.

AFP Fact Check: Fukushima wastewater release spawns misinformation

Japan's release of wastewater from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant has unleashed a wave of misinformation, with AFP debunking false claims of a radioactive Pacific Ocean that have been viewed millions of times.

Microsoft gambles big on Hollywood-esque 'Starfield' video game

"Starfield", one of the most-anticipated video games in years, launches worldwide on Wednesday with the hype -- and production standards -- of a Hollywood blockbuster.

Japan's Ryusuke Hamaguchi on following his Oscar success

Japanese director Ryusuke Hamaguchi made history with his Oscar-winning "Drive My Car". For his follow-up, he has retreated into nature.

Exodus begins at drenched Burning Man party in US desert

Revelers stuck in the mud for days at the Burning Man festival in Nevada finally began heading home on Monday after Mother Nature rained on their big party.

Smash Mouth singer Steve Harwell dead at 56

Steve Harwell, a founding member and former leader of the US rock band Smash Mouth, known for its hit songs "All Star" and "Walkin' on the Sun," died Monday at age 56, his agent said.

'Burners' at drenched desert party inch toward exodus

Revelers stuck in the mud for days at the Burning Man festival hoped for a break Monday as they waited for impassable roads to reopen so they could head home after Mother Nature rained on their big party.

Priscilla Presley: biopic 'amazing but difficult to watch'

Priscilla Presley, whose romance with Elvis began when she was 14, said Monday it was "difficult to watch" the new movie about their marriage.

Woody Allen says he supports #MeToo as 50th film shows at Venice

After a critical mauling for Roman Polanski, another blacklisted director -- Woody Allen -- arrived at the Venice Film Festival on Monday, insisting he supported the #MeToo movement "when it's beneficial".

Woody Allen would film in NY again if 'some foolish person' funds it

Despite being effectively barred from the US film industry, Woody Allen said Monday that he has an idea for a New York film ready to go "if some foolish person" agrees to finance it.

Get it back: new hunt for missing Beatles bass guitar

A guitar expert and two journalists have launched a global hunt for a missing bass guitar owned by Paul McCartney, bidding to solve what they brand "the greatest mystery in rock and roll".

Woody Allen and Elvis's wife come to Venice

After a critical mauling for Roman Polanski, another blacklisted director, Woody Allen, arrived at the Venice Film Festival on Monday with his 50th film.

Woody Allen: Oscar winner dogged by sex abuse allegations

Woody Allen -- whose 50th and possibly last film premieres at the Venice Film Festival on Monday -- is a four-time Oscar winner whose career has been dogged by unproven allegations that he molested his adopted daughter.

'Equalizer 3' tops N.America box office in big summer finale

Sony's "The Equalizer 3," starring fan favorite Denzel Washington, helped boost the North American box office to a post-pandemic high over the long holiday weekend, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

'We're similar countries': Iran-Israel filmmakers unite in Venice

Venice hosted an unprecedented collaboration between Israeli and Iranian filmmakers, who say there are similarities between their governments and hope they can set an example for greater unity between their people.

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