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Sri Lanka's crackdown on dogs for India PM's visit sparks protest

Sri Lankan animal rights activists marched on Thursday to protest the round-up of stray dogs a day ahead of a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

South African artist champions hyenas in 'eco-queer' quest

They are often disparaged as ugly, sly and cruel scavengers but for South African artist Hannelie Coetzee, hyenas are symbols of female power and the normalisation of queerness.

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New Spielberg, Nolan films teased at CinemaCon

Hollywood studio Universal Pictures on Wednesday teased new movies from Steven Spielberg and Christopher Nolan, while showcasing footage from its upcoming sequels "Jurassic World Rebirth" and "Wicked: For Good" at the CinemaCon event.

'Shenmue' voted most influential video game ever in UK poll

The 1999 action game "Shenmue" was on Thursday named the most influential video game of all time following a survey organised by BAFTA, the British association that honours films, television, and video games.

Revealed: Why monkeys are better at yodelling than humans

Yodellers of the world, you never stood a chance: Monkeys will always be better at yodelling than humans because they have a "cheap trick" hidden in their voice box, scientists revealed Thursday.

Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre 'stable' after car crash

Virginia Giuffre, who accused disgraced US financier Jeffrey Epstein and Britain's Prince Andrew of sexual abuse, is in a stable condition after a reported car crash in Australia, the hospital treating her said Wednesday.

Warner showcases 'Superman' reboot, new DiCaprio film

Embattled Hollywood studio Warner Bros on Tuesday unveiled footage from its make-or-break "Superman" reboot and a lavish new Leonardo DiCaprio film at the CinemaCon event in Las Vegas.

Computer pioneer Microsoft turns 50 in the age of AI

Microsoft has been at the heart of computing for half a century, becoming a tech stalwart almost taken for granted as lifestyles embraced the internet.

French chefs quake as Michelin prepares new guide

Chefs across France are waiting for one of the most exciting and dreaded moments of the year: publication of the new annual guide from Michelin with its highly coveted stars.

French lawyers condemn 'sexism' of Depardieu's defence in abuse trial

A group of nearly 200 French lawyers on Friday urged the judiciary to fight the kind of courtroom sexism they said Gerard Depardieu's lawyer used to defend the star actor in his sex abuse trial.

Maradona died 'in agony,' forensic expert tells court

The state of Diego Maradona's corpse suggested he must have died "in agony," an expert who participated in the late football legend's autopsy testified Thursday in the trial of seven medical professionals accused of homicide over his death.

Prosecutors ask for 18-months suspended jail for French actor Depardieu

Prosecutors in the sexual abuse trial of Gerard Depardieu on Thursday recommended a suspended jail sentence of 18 months for the French star actor.

Pope returns home from hospital, thanks faithful

Pope Francis was discharged from hospital Sunday after more than five weeks being treated for pneumonia, waving to cheering crowds and thanking everyone for their support.

Tired-looking pope leaves hospital, thanks faithful

Pope Francis was discharged from hospital Sunday after more than five weeks being treated for pneumonia, waving to crowds gathered and thanking everyone for their support before heading for home.

Trump suggests Tesla vandals be jailed in El Salvador

President Donald Trump suggested Friday that people who vandalize Tesla property -- the car brand owned by his billionaire ally Elon Musk -- could be deported to prisons in El Salvador.

Insults and acceptance: being trans in rural France

Valerie Montchalin found out who her friends were when she transitioned to being a transgender woman in her village high in the Massif Central of central France.

Stench of death as Sudan army, paramilitaries battle for capital

In a war-ravaged neighbourhood of Sudan's capital Khartoum, the stench from a gaping sewage pit is unbearable as Red Crescent workers pull a bloated body from deep underground.

Race to name creatures of the deep as mining interest grows

In the cold, lightless Pacific Ocean deep, the seabed is scattered with metal-rich rocks coveted by miners -- and huge numbers of strange and rare animals almost entirely unknown to science.

Giant mine machine swallowing up Senegal's fertile coast

Like something from the science fiction film "Dune", the "world's biggest mining dredger" has been swallowing acre after acre of the fertile coastal strip where most of Senegal's vegetables are grown.

Sri Lanka counts nuisance wildlife in bid to protect crops

Sri Lanka carried out a nationwide census Saturday of nuisance wildlife, including monkeys and peacocks, in a bid to prepare countermeasures to protect crops, officials said.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs pleads not guilty to new indictment

Sean "Diddy" Combs pleaded not guilty Friday to a new indictment that added accusations to his US federal sex trafficking and racketeering case.

UN chief promises to do "everything" to avoid food cuts to Rohingyas in Bangladesh

UN chief Antonio Guterres said Friday the organisation would do "everything" to prevent food rations being cut for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

UN chief in Rohingya refugee camp solidarity visit

UN chief Antonio Guterres met with Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh Friday, some of the one million people who escaped war in neighbouring Myanmar who are now threatened by dire humanitarian aid cuts.

You're kidding! Prince William reveals Aston Villa superstitions

Prince William revealed on Friday that he is such a superstitious Aston Villa supporter that he often resorts to shuffling his children around his house to help bring the team a change of luck.

First brown bear to have brain surgery emerges from hibernation

A bear cub bear that underwent pioneering life-saving brain surgery has come out of hibernation and appears to have made a "remarkable" recovery, UK zoo chiefs said on Thursday.

Australia tells US influencer: 'leave baby wombat alone'

Australia's top diplomat on Thursday urged a visiting American influencer to "leave the baby wombat alone", after a viral video appeared to show the woman pestering a young marsupial.

Chanel plays with proportions as Paris Fashion Week wraps up

Chanel presented its Fall-Winter collection on the last day of Paris Women's Fashion Week on Tuesday, playing with proportions and layering in a show designed without incoming artistic director Matthieu Blazy.

From 'mob wives' to millennials: Faux fur is now a fashion staple

Thanks to the "mob wife" style trend and advances in manufacturing technology that make it look like the real thing, fake fur has conquered catwalks and the high street.

Hackman died of natural causes, a week after wife: medical examiner

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife died of natural causes about a week apart, a medical examiner said Friday, ending more than a week of mystery surrounding the death of one of Hollywood's most beloved stars.

Pope 'stable' as marks three weeks in hospital with breathless audio message

Pope Francis's condition remained stable but complex on Friday as he battles pneumonia in hospital, the Vatican said, a day after releasing an audio message in which the 88-year-old sounded weak and breathless.

Disco, reggae on King Charles's 'eclectic' Apple playlist

Bob Marley, Kylie Minogue and Grace Jones are among artists from around the Commonwealth who have made it onto King Charles III's playlist in a collaboration with Apple Music.

Deposed king's grandson makes low-key return to Egypt

Prince Muhammad Ali has left a comfortable life in Paris to fulfil an enduring dream -- return to Egypt, where his grandfather Farouk once ruled as king, hoping to restore the family's legacy.

Trial of Maradona's medics to start four years after star's death

Four years after the death of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, seven healthcare professionals will go on trial next week accused of negligence during his final days.

Chunky canines: Study reveals dog obesity gene shared by humans

Obesity is on the rise not just in humans but in dogs, whose history of selective breeding makes them an ideal species for studying the balance between genetics, diet, and lifestyle in weight gain.

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