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Art market banking on new generation of collectors
The global art market is not immune to current economic and geopolitical tensions, and is counting on a new generation of collectors to revitalise the momentum.

Oasis: from clash to cash
Fifteen years after their explosive split, British music legends Liam and Noel Gallagher are reuniting for an Oasis tour that promises not only Britpop nostalgia but also staggering revenues.

'How to Train Your Dragon' holds top spot in N.America box office
"How to Train Your Dragon," a live-action reboot of the popular 2010 animated film, set the North American box office ablaze again in its second week, industry estimates showed Sunday.

Japan's high-tech sunscreens tap into skincare craze
When YouTuber Hannah Price set out to compare Japanese and Australian sunscreen, she wasn't expecting her deep dive into the subject to rack up over two million views.

Utopia and fragile democracy at Art Basel fair
This year's Art Basel, the world's top contemporary art fair, paints a portrait of a troubled planet, with works embodying the relentless pursuit of happiness and the fragility of democracies.

Panama cuts internet, cell phones in restive province
Panamanian authorities on Saturday partially suspended internet and mobile phone service in a western province where a state of emergency was in effect after two months of anti-government unrest.

In New York, Vermeer show reveals art of the love letter
In a special exhibit featuring just three paintings, the Frick Collection in New York is inviting viewers to contemplate the age and the art of seduction by the written word.

Nigeria receives over 100 looted artifacts from the Netherlands
The Netherlands on Saturday officially handed back to Nigeria 119 precious ancient sculptures, stolen from the former kingdom of Benin more than 120 years ago during the colonial era.

Malaysia's Dayaks mark rice harvest end with colourful parade
Dressed in colourful costumes, some sporting feathered headgear and traditional swords, several thousand of Malaysia's ethnic Dayak people paraded in the streets of Sarawak state on Borneo island Saturday to celebrate the ending of the rice harvest season.

Last member of K-pop megaband BTS to finish military service
SUGA, a member of the K-pop megaband BTS, will officially complete his mandatory military service on Saturday, marking the full return of all seven members of the global supergroup from duty.

Giorgio Armani to miss Milan Fashion Week shows
Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, who is "currently recovering at home", will miss two of his shows at the Milan Fashion Week, his company said Friday.

US singer Chris Brown pleads not guilty in UK assault case
American R&B singer Chris Brown on Friday pleaded not guilty in a UK court to a charge stemming from an alleged London nightclub brawl in 2023.

Peru gas workers find thousand-year-old mummy
Peruvian gas workers this week found a thousand-year-old mummy while installing pipes in Lima, their company said, confirming the latest discovery of a pre-Hispanic tomb in the capital.

France softens restrictions for Telegram founder Durov: judicial source
Telegram founder Pavel Durov's judicial control has been relaxed, with the Russian-born entrepreneur now allowed to live in Dubai for a maximum of two weeks at a time, a judicial source said on Thursday.

R. Kelly lawyers allege he was target of 'overdose' plot by prison guards
Lawyers for R. Kelly said in recent court filings that the criminally convicted R&B singer suffered an "overdose" of medication at the hands of prison officials.

Tom Cruise to receive honorary Oscar in career first
US actor and film producer Tom Cruise will receive an honorary Oscar ahead of the 2026 Academy Awards, the organizers said Tuesday, marking a career first for the Hollywood veteran.

Alfred Brendel: the 'Thinking Pianist's Man'
Self-taught pianist Alfred Brendel, who was widely regarded as one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century, was himself baffled by his success on the world stage.

Austrian pianist Alfred Brendel dies at 94: spokesman
Austrian pianist Alfred Brendel, widely regarded as one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century, died in London on Tuesday, his spokesman said. He was 94.

'Second time I've died': Nobel laureate Jelinek denies death reports
Austrian Nobel Prize winner Elfriede Jelinek told AFP on Tuesday that she was alive and well, after German-speaking media reported a fake announcement that the writer had died.

Queer astronaut documentary takes on new meaning in Trump's US
When director Cristina Costantini started making a documentary about the first US woman in space, she thought it would be looking back on the "sexism and homophobia of yesteryear".

Amsterdam honours its own Golden Age sculpture master
Imposing but delicate marble sculptures of Graeco-Roman-style figures grace the vaulted corridors of a huge palace. But this isn't Florence or Rome. This is Amsterdam.

Soft power: BTS fans rally behind Korean international adoptees
K-pop megaband BTS is back from military service, and their international fandom -- long known for its progressive activism -- is celebrating by rallying behind a cause: adoptees from South Korea.

Despite law, US TikTok ban likely to remain on hold
US President Donald Trump is widely expected to extend the Thursday deadline for TikTok to find a non-Chinese buyer or face a ban in the United States.

Mexican band accused of glorifying cartels changes its tune
A popular Mexican band under investigation for glorifying a wanted drug lord has released an anti-narco song in a bid to clear its name.

Kneecap 'unfazed' by legal problems, says friend and director
Irish rappers Kneecap are "unfazed" by their legal problems and controversies kicked up by their anti-Israel pro-Palestinian statements, friend and film director Rich Peppiatt told AFP.

'How to Train Your Dragon' soars to top of N.America box office
"How to Train Your Dragon," a live-action reboot of a popular 2010 animated film, roared to the top of the North American box office with $83.7 million in weekend ticket sales, industry estimates showed Sunday.

Sober clubbing brews fresh beat for Singapore Gen Z
Swaying to dance music and TikTok-fuelled pop under a disco ball, young punters are packed shoulder to shoulder while sipping on coffee, their energy powered by pour-overs rather than pints.

Survival and loss in Air India plane disaster
Grieving families are mourning at least 279 killed when a London-bound passenger jet crashed in India, with the victims in Ahmedabad ranging from a top politician to a teenage tea seller.

No political jokes in Springfield, says Simpsons creator Groening
Like many American families struggling for unity in the polarised United States, The Simpsons have decided to avoid political jokes, the creator of the series Matt Groening told AFP.

Picasso on a plate: unseen ceramics up for auction
A clutch of one-off and hitherto unseen ceramic plates and dishes by Pablo Picasso are going under the hammer in Geneva on June 19.

BTS fans gather for K-pop supergroup's annual celebration
Thousands of fans of BTS will Friday mark the K-pop supergroup's anniversary, with all but one member now finished with their mandatory military service and a return to performance likely imminent.

Chinese woman detained over BTS Jungkook attempted break-in
A Chinese woman was briefly detained in Seoul for allegedly attempting to enter the home of BTS idol Jungkook, who was released from his military service a day before, police said Thursday.