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S.Africa's Breyten Breytenbach, writer and anti-apartheid activist

Breyten Breytenbach, who died Sunday, was one of South Africa's most honoured writers, who found beauty in his Afrikaans language but was horrified at the white supremacy imposed by his government.

Six face trial in Paris for blackmailing Paul Pogba

Six men linked to Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba face trial from Tuesday, accused of blackmail, attempted extorsion of millions of euros and holding the player at gunpoint.

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Africa's large birds of prey facing 'extinction crisis': study

The flamboyantly plumed Secretary Bird and the serpent-catching Snake Eagle are among dozens of Africa's large birds of prey facing a human-driven "extinction crisis" researchers said on Thursday.

Ailing French screen legend Delon in 'weakened' state: son

French film icon Alain Delon finds it hard to accept his frail state of health, his son said in an interview published Thursday, also revealing a new split within the family over the ailing legend's care.

Animals go hungry at war-torn Gaza zoo

Hunger is everywhere at Rafah zoo, in Gaza's far south, as internally displaced Palestinians seek shelter from the war between cages and animals die of starvation.

Snoop Dogg to be Paris Olympics special correspondent for NBC

Acclaimed rapper Snoop Dogg will be a special reporter for US broadcaster NBC at the Paris Olympics this year, the network has announced, reprising his star turn at the Tokyo Games that delighted viewers.

Australian-born Mary, Denmark's future queen

Denmark's popular Australian-born Crown Princess Mary will become queen on January 14 when her husband Crown Prince Frederik accedes to the throne after his mother's abdication, capping her real-life fairytale.

Shirley Bassey, Ridley Scott honoured by Britain's King Charles III

King Charles III on Friday announced awards for showbusiness royalty Shirley Bassey and Ridley Scott while a bereaved father who took on social media giants over harmful online content is also recognised in Britain's traditional New Year's Honours.

Court orders New Caledonia to stop culling sharks

A court in New Caledonia on Thursday ordered the authorities to stop hunting sharks, saying multiple culls were a "disproportionate" response to any danger to swimmers.

Swiss to vote on foie gras, fur imports

The Swiss will decide whether to ban foie gras and fur imports after campaigners on Thursday handed in enough signatures to trigger a public vote on the twin issues.

Shakira's Colombian home city unveils statue in her honor

Colombian superstar Shakira's Caribbean home city of Barranquilla unveiled a 6.5-meter (21.3-foot) hip-swaying statue in her honor on Tuesday.

Chinese chess rocked by cheating rumours, bad behaviour scandal

The world of Chinese chess is in uproar over rumours of cheating and a bad behaviour scandal that saw the national champion stripped of his title Monday after a victory celebration ended with him defecating in a hotel bathtub.

Swifties to the polls? Why eyes are on Taylor ahead of 2024

As Joe Biden's poll numbers flag ahead of next year's election, it might seem obvious for the president to look to the pop-star billionaire who endorsed him in 2020, and whose every move is endlessly cataloged by US media.

Queen Elizabeth II was concerned about dying in Scotland: daughter

Queen Elizabeth II was persuaded to step back from making decisions about her own funeral after mentioning that it would be "more difficult" if she died in Scotland, her daughter told a forthcoming documentary.

Peru seizes 4,000 live Amazon turtles at airport

Peruvian authorities have seized some 4,000 turtles that originated in the Amazon at the country's main international airport, the national wildlife service said Thursday.

Kyrgyzstan backs new flag, says 'smiling' sun to aid growth

Lawmakers in tightly-controlled Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday backed a proposal to modify the country's flag so that it will feature sun rays, arguing the move would boost the economy.

Kuwait's emir Sheikh Nawaf laid to rest in low-key ceremony

Kuwait's emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who was defence minister when Iraq invaded the oil-rich country in 1990, was laid to rest Sunday in a low-key funeral, a day after he died aged 86.

Kuwait's Sheikh Nawaf: a short but tumultuous reign

Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah served as Kuwait's emir for just three years but spent decades in top posts through the House of Sabah's tumultuous rule of the oil-rich state.

Bradley Cooper: 'I became an adult' making 'Maestro'

Bradley Cooper said transforming into the legendary composer Leonard Bernstein for his new film "Maestro", released on Netflix on December 20, forced him to grow up.

US-Mexico border wall threatening rare wildlife

Jaguars don't understand borders, but where the United States meets Mexico, they are having to adapt to them.

Once the enemy, majestic condor wins hearts of Colombian farmers

A group of condors rip into the carcass of a calf at the top of a Colombian mountain which rises 4,200 metres above sea level.

Shaggy dog yarn: Study unravels history and demise of long-haired canine

A little-known dog lineage with fur so thick it was spun into blankets was selectively bred for millennia by Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest until its rapid demise following European colonization, a study in Science showed Thursday.

Russian court hears appeal by veteran rights activist

A Russian court began on Thursday hearing the appeal of Oleg Orlov, a veteran human rights campaigner and co-chair of the Nobel-Prize-winning group Memorial, who has been convicted of discrediting Russian forces.

Zulu nation faces uncertainty after 'unlawful' king ruling

South Africa's president and Zulu monarch have been stunned by a court ruling that the state's recognition of King Misuzulu Zulu was "unlawful" in a move that risks reopening old succession wounds.

The birds are back with 'Chicken Run 2'

A sequel to the hit animated film "Chicken Run" was inevitable, its makers told AFP, for the simple reason that chickens are just too funny.

'Barbenheimer' tipped to dominate revamped Golden Globes nominations

"Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" -- the unlikely pair of films that dominated the box office and spawned countless internet memes this summer -- are expected to lead the newly revamped Golden Globes when nominations are unveiled Monday.

Fresh start or 'unseemly' stunt? New-look Golden Globes to unveil noms

With new owners, a change of TV network and a radically overhauled membership, the Golden Globes will hope for a clean break from years of notoriety as they unveil nominations on Monday for this year's best in film and television.

From Obiang to Putin: the world's longest-serving leaders

Vladimir Putin, who on Friday announced that he will seek a fifth term as Russian president in elections next year, is one of the world's ten longest-serving elected leaders.

Police arrest Japan taxi driver after running over pigeon

A Tokyo taxi driver was arrested for deliberately driving into a flock of pigeons and killing one, police said Tuesday, reportedly because he was angry that the birds were on the road.

'No plan B': France set on Olympics river opening despite attack

The French government is insisting it will keep a plan to hold the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony on the River Seine even after a deadly attack in the French capital at the weekend amplified existing security concerns.

Feeling stressed? Cuddle a cow, says UK dairy farm

Morag, an imposing Highland cow with a caramel coat, ambles out of the main shed at Dumble Farm in northern England and stands ready to meet her guests.

Team behind 'The Taste of Things' hopes to conquer Oscars with French food

Controversy has simmered around France's entry for the Oscars, "The Taste of Things" -- a love letter to the country's culinary traditions -- but filmmaker Tran Anh Hung and star chef Pierre Gagnaire say the art of cooking is worth celebrating.

US families recount 'horrific' Gaza hostage ordeal, urge more action

Four-year-old American hostage Abigail is surrounded by family in Israel who "brought her life back" after seven weeks of captivity, her great aunt said Wednesday, as relatives stressed they will not rest until everyone held by Hamas is freed.

Bashful golden mole detected in South Africa after 87 years

A golden mole that "swims" in sand has resurfaced in South Africa after 87 years in the wilderness when many specialists feared it had become extinct, researchers have said.

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