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Finland's colossal bomb shelters a model for jittery Europe

Swimming pools, playgrounds and amusement parks: Finland's underground facilities, which can double as bomb shelters, have emerged as an inspiring approach as Europe ramps up preparedness after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Experts warn 'AI-written' paper is latest spin on climate change denial

Climate change deniers are pushing an AI-generated paper questioning human-induced warming, leading experts to warn against the rise of research that is inherently flawed but marketed as neutral and scrupulously logical.

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Myanmar junta chief insists on polls at annual military parade

Myanmar's junta chief insisted Thursday that a planned election will go ahead despite the country's spiralling civil war, in a speech to thousands of soldiers and dignitaries at the annual Armed Forces Day parade.

Trump calls for end to US public media funding

President Donald Trump called on Congress on Thursday to "immediately" defund two public broadcasters as he and his supporters ratchet up their long-running battle with the US media.

Myanmar junta celebrates itself with military pageant

Myanmar's junta will muster its embattled troops for a show of strength on Armed Forces Day on Thursday, after a year of seismic defeats and turning to forcibly conscripting civilians to bolster its ranks.

Disney reveals 'Avengers' cast with surprise Stewart, McKellen returns

Disney's Marvel Studios on Wednesday revealed the bumper cast of its next "Avengers" film, six years after "Avengers: Endgame" became the highest-grossing movie of all time.

'So unique': Frick Collection set to reopen in New York

New York's storied Frick Collection will reopen its doors on April 17 after five years closed to the public for a major renovation which curators hope will future-proof the collection of former coal and steel magnate Henry Clay Frick.

First trailer for Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' after on-set death

The first trailer for Alec Baldwin's "Rust" -- the Western film made infamous by the fatal on-set shooting of its cinematographer -- was released Wednesday.

Marcin: a guitarist so good, he's accused of faking it

Polish guitar prodigy Marcin, whose virtuoso performances have won celebrity fans and been viewed millions of times online, has a technique so fast and complex that he is regularly accused of tricking listeners.

ECB's digital euro sparks flurry of online misinformation

European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde's recent remarks on a "digital euro" prompted a fresh wave of misinformation online, highlighting an uphill battle ahead to convince the public of the project's merits.

UK artist Grayson Perry indulges playful side in new show

It was a radical idea: give UK artist Grayson Perry, known for his cross-dressing and flamboyant, colourful art, carte blanche to create new works inspired by one of the world's finest collections of decorative arts.

'Spider-Man,' 'Harry Potter' producers hired for new 007 film

The producers behind the "Spider-Man" and "Harry Potter" film franchises will oversee the next James Bond movie, Amazon MGM Studios announced Tuesday.

UK judge slams Paddington Bear statue vandals

Two vandals who broke a statue of Paddington Bear in half were the "antithesis" of everything the affable character from British storybooks stands for, a UK judge sentencing the pair said on Tuesday.

UK watchdog concerned Oasis fans 'misled' into buying costly tickets

Fans of UK rockers Oasis may have been tricked into buying "platinum" seats that offered no additional advantage during the much-criticised ticket sale for their upcoming reunion gigs, Britain's competition watchdog said Tuesday.

Barcelona basilica narrows down search for artist to design facade

Celebrated Spanish artist Miquel Barcelo, his compatriot Cristina Iglesias and Mexican Javier Marin have been shortlisted to design the main facade of Barcelona's iconic Sagrada Familia basilica, the body overseeing its construction said on Tuesday.

'Reasons to be optimistic': UK startups boost local news scene

On the second floor of a London furniture store, three journalists are busy finalising the latest edition of a newsletter, covering everything from local foodbank funding to a neighbourhood cafe.

US, Russia talks on Ukraine ceasefire wrap up as fresh fighting rages

A meeting between Russian and US officials on a partial ceasefire in Ukraine ended after 12 hours of negotiations in Saudi Arabia, Russian state media said, as both sides in the conflict reported a wave of fresh attacks.

Young Indonesians toast Britpop scene with singalongs, swagger

At a smoke-filled warehouse in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, hundreds of young men and women, some clad in hijabs, throw their arms in the air, bouncing to British songs from the 1990s.

US, Russia talks on Ukraine ceasefire end after 12 hours

A meeting between Russian and US officials on a partial ceasefire in Ukraine ended after 12 hours of negotiations in Saudi Arabia on Monday, Russian state media reported, with a joint statement expected the following day.

Shakira concerts give multimillion-dollar boost to Mexico

Shakira fans flocking to see the Colombian star in concert are generating tens of millions of dollars for Mexico, according to the local chamber of commerce, underscoring the economic signicifance of major musical events.

Proenza Schouler founders to take over at Spanish fashion brand Loewe

American designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez were named joint creative directors by Spanish brand Loewe on Monday.

Hijacking news: Fake media sites sow Ukraine disinformation

A fake news website falsely claimed that Ukraine's president is paying Western reporters to tarnish US President Donald Trump -- part of a series of deceptive reports spread by Russian-linked portals mimicking media outlets.

New 'Snow White' tops N.America box office despite grumpy reviews

Disney's remake of "Snow White," 90 years after the original blockbuster, topped the North American box office this weekend with an estimated take of $43 million, but faces stiff winds -- and some horrendous reviews -- to make up its huge production costs.

London exhibit spotlights Victor Hugo's lesser-known talent -- drawing

French writer Victor Hugo is famous for penning "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" and "Les Miserables", but less known is his work as an illustrator -- now the subject of a new exhibition in London.

Snoopy the fashion icon celebrated in Paris exhibition

A new exhibition opened Saturday in Paris charting the emergence of Snoopy as a fashion icon, with the famed black-and-white beagle embraced by designers from streetwear brands to couture houses.

French museum uncovers in storage picture by Renaissance woman master

A provincial museum in northern France on Friday showed off a picture now attributed to one of the greatest women painters of the Italian Renaissance, Lavinia Fontana, but which had for decades languished in its storage.

Study probes mystery of Berlin techno clubs' door policy

Berlin's techno clubs have long been famed for their picky bouncers, with hopeful clubbers often queueing for hours only to be met with a stern "no" at the door.

Avowed misogynist Andrew Tate returns to Romania

Self-described misogynist influencer Andrew Tate said on Friday he was returning to Romania, where he is facing rape and human trafficking charges, after a trip to the US.

Forbidden K-pop to centre stage: North Koreans set for music debut

Growing up in North Korea, Hyuk's childhood was about survival. He never listened to banned K-pop music but, after defecting to the South, he's about to debut as an idol.

Netflix hit 'Adolescence' stokes UK parents' anxiety

"Adolescence", the Netflix hit series about a British 13-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of a horrifying crime, has intensified the anxiety of parents worried about toxic and misogynistic influences young people are exposed to online.

Godard's 'Breathless' script set to be auctioned

The only known script of French director Jean-Luc Godard's New Wave classic "Breathless" that includes pages of his handwritten notes is set to be sold at auction in June, Sotheby's said Thursday.

Europe games industry on edge as 'Assassin's Creed' hits shelves

Thursday's release of action-adventure epic "Assassin's Creed Shadows" marks a make-or-break moment not just for struggling French games heavyweight Ubisoft, but for the entire European gaming ecosystem.

Cambridge to give honorary degree to rapper Stormzy

Hip-hop star Stormzy will receive an honorary degree from Cambridge, where he has launched a scholarship programme for black students, the prestigious British university said Wednesday.

EU skewers Google, Apple over tech rules -- despite Trump threats

The European Union defied US threats of retaliation Wednesday by accusing Google of violating its digital rules -- which could trigger hefty fines -- and ordering Apple to make its iPhone interact better with rivals' devices.

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