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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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Dubai dwellers take desert camping to skyscraper city

On a patch of city land beside the sea, urban Emiratis sit beneath the shimmering skyscrapers of wealthy Dubai, revamping a camping tradition rooted in the desert.

Gene Hackman, intense, 'uncommon' everyman actor

Gene Hackman, who has been found dead in his home in New Mexico at the age of 95, was once voted as likely to flop in showbiz but instead went on to enjoy a storied, Oscar-winning career as an everyman actor who mined personal pain to give intense, edgy performances.

Bezos announces restrictions on Washington Post opinion coverage

The Washington Post will no longer run views opposed to "personal liberties and free markets" on its opinion pages, owner Jeff Bezos announced Wednesday, the billionaire's latest intervention in the major US paper's editorial operations.

'Buffy' actor Michelle Trachtenberg dies at 39: US media

Michelle Trachtenberg, the actor known for roles in series including "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Gossip Girl," has died, according to US media outlets. She was 39 years old.

Billionaire Bezos announces restrictions on Washington Post opinion coverage

The Washington Post will no longer run views opposed to "personal liberties and free markets" on its opinion pages, its owner Jeff Bezos announced on Wednesday, the latest intervention by the billionaire in the major US paper's editorial operations.

Oscars producers unveil a 'Wicked' gala showstopper

After last year's Oscars gala wowed viewers with a glitzy, star-studded "I'm Just Ken" karaoke, the producers of Sunday's Academy Awards ceremony knew exactly where to turn for this year's showstopping musical moment.

Radio host axed after 'unacceptable' remarks about Australia women's team

A radio host in Australia who made "unacceptable" and "disgusting" comments about the national women's football team was taken off air on Wednesday, local media reported.

Chinese treasures restored in the heart of Beijing

In a workshop tucked away in Beijing's historic Forbidden City, a restorer hunched over a centuries-old figurine, using a cotton bud to delicately clean its dusty crevices after years hidden in storage.

'45 seconds!': Oscar nominees urged to tighten speeches as gala looms

"How many seconds do we have?"

Football Australia slams 'unacceptable' remarks about Matildas by radio host

Football Australia condemned Wednesday "inappropriate and unacceptable" remarks by a radio host about their women's team and urged more respectful commentary on women's sport.

Balls and parades to fete Jane Austen's 250th birthday

Ballgowns are being stitched, bonnets brushed and tea rooms prepped as the United Kingdom prepares to celebrate the 250th birthday of beloved literary icon Jane Austen.

US woman pleads guilty to plot to sell Elvis's Graceland estate

A Missouri woman pleaded guilty on Tuesday to hatching a "brazen scheme" to steal ownership of Graceland, the historic home of Elvis Presley, from the family of the King of Rock and Roll and put it up for auction.

Transgender religious order gets rare approval at India Hindu festival

Transgender activists often shunned by society say they have found rare acceptance at India's Hindu Kumbh Mela festival by giving blessings to pilgrims attending the world's largest religious gathering.

London Fashion Week: Burberry embraces escape to the countryside

London Fashion Week wrapped up with Burberry sending its Autumn/Winter collection down the catwalk on Monday, capping off a relatively muted event in the rainy British capital.

£2.8m gold toilet stolen from UK show never found: court

It took just five minutes to steal a £2.8-million gold toilet, which has never been found, from an art exhibition at an English country house, a court heard Monday.

Roberta Flack of 'Killing Me Softly' fame dies at 88

Roberta Flack, the Grammy-winning singer behind the classic "Killing Me Softly With His Song" and one of the most recognizable voices of the 1970s, died Monday at age 88.

French actor Gerard Depardieu probed for tax fraud: source close to case

Actor Gerard Depardieu is under investigation for aggravated tax fraud in France, a source close to the case told AFP on Monday.

Muted London fashion week wraps up with Burberry show

London Fashion Week wraps up with Burberry sending its Autumn/Winter collection down the catwalk on Monday, capping off a relatively muted event in the rainy British capital.

Vatican thriller 'Conclave' wins top prize in SAG Awards upset

Vatican thriller "Conclave" won top prize at an unpredictable Screen Actors Guild Awards gala Sunday, throwing a potential late curveball into the Oscars race just a week before the Academy Awards.

Does revival or retirement await James Bond at Amazon?

James Bond in the hands of an American company: shock horror! Amazon's takeover of Britain's iconic Bond franchise has Her Majesty's subjects worried, with some wondering whether 007 still has a future.

AI opens 'endless' doors for fashion models, closes others

London-based model Alexsandrah Gondora understands the power of being in "two places at the same time" thanks to an AI replica of herself: "She's doing the hard work so I don't have to!"

Trump biopic director apologizes after actor's groping accusation

The director of a controversial movie about US President Donald Trump's younger years apologized Saturday after admitting to an "over-familiar" gesture towards an actor who later complained of being groped.

Pussy Riot stages pre-election Berlin show for Ukraine

Russian dissident punk band Pussy Riot played at a pro-Ukraine protest in Berlin on Saturday, on the eve of German elections as the war nears three years.

Norwegian film 'Dreams', Australia's Rose Byrne win at Berlin

Norwegian drama "Dreams" won the top prize at the Berlin film festival on Saturday, while Australia's Rose Byrne clinched the Best Performance award, with both movies focused on women's experiences.

Shakira cancels Colombia concert over venue safety concerns

Shakira has canceled a concert in Colombia, among dozens of dates on her world tour, due to a damaged stage roof that posed safety concerns, event organizers said on Friday.

Highlights from Berlin as film festival wraps up

The Berlin film festival is set to hand out its awards on Saturday, with a selection of 19 films and documentaries competing for the top Golden Bear prize.

Disinformation blizzard targets Germany before election

Stories of a pre-election state of emergency, police escorts for toddlers and forged ballot papers -- a blizzard of online disinformation has targeted German voters ahead of Sunday's election.

Porn stars: Oscar favorite 'Anora' gets sex work right

For a film about sex work to win an Oscar is rare. For it to win the respect of sex workers is even rarer.

Christie's first-ever AI sale angers some artists

Christie's has launched its first-ever sale dedicated to artworks created with artificial intelligence, riding the AI revolution wave -- a move by the famed auction house that has sparked anger among some artists.

French-Lebanese architect to redesign British Museum galleries

The British Museum said Friday it had chosen French-Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh to redesign a third of the venue's gallery space -- including a section housing the disputed Parthenon Marbles.

Mongolians warm up on culture at new winter festival

A festival in a frigid park on the edge of the world's coldest capital in February might not sound like a crowd-puller -- but in Mongolia an inaugural celebration of nomadic culture was in fine fettle this week.

What is Brutalism? And why do architects hate 'The Brutalist'?

"The Brutalist," an epic drama loosely inspired by the life and work of architect Marcel Breuer, is one of the favorites for Sunday's Oscars.

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