Entertainment – International

Rihanna vows to ‘never stop’ fight to put children back in school

by Laurence BENHAMOU Agence France-Presse DAKAR, Senegal (AFP) — Megastar Rihanna vowed she would “never stop fighting” to get millions of children back in school on Friday as French President Emmanuel Macron promised a major boost in foreign aid for education in developing nations. Macron co-hosted a conference in Dakar organised by the Global Partnership for Education with Senegalese President Macky Sall, while Rihanna attended as the organisation’s global ambassador. “We have made tremendous progress […]

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Spice Girls announce plans to work together again

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — The Spice Girls got back together on Friday for the first time since 2012 and announced plans to explore “incredible new opportunities” in the future. The British 1990s pop phenomenon — Victoria Beckham, Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Horner — reunited at Horner’s house north of London, along with their former manager Simon Fuller. The best-selling female group ever released photographs of the gathering. “We have enjoyed […]

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Rihanna presses leaders to fund global education

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Rihanna on Thursday used her star power to urge key governments to commit to ensuring education for the world’s poorest as she takes part in an international conference in Senegal. The chart-topping singer arrived in the capital Dakar where she on Friday will join the Global Partnership for Education talks co-hosted by Senegalese President Macky Sall and French leader Emmanuel Macron. Rihanna, the fourth most followed person on Twitter […]

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Jim Carrey won’t face trial over girlfriend’s death

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Comic actor Jim Carrey has been spared the prospect of a civil trial over the suicide of his girlfriend after the case was dismissed, his representative and court officials said Thursday. Cathriona White’s estranged husband Mark Burton and mother Brigid Sweetman had filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the star following her overdose in September 2015, accusing him of procuring drugs under a bogus name for her. They also […]

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Woody Allen: prolific film legend stained by scandal

by Jennie Matthew Agence France-Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Woody Allen, the director and four-time Oscar winner known for his comedies rife with neurotic characters, is in the crosshairs of America’s sexual harassment watershed over decades-old claims that he molested his daughter. The 82-year-old New Yorker — who averages a movie a year, clocking up more than 50 titles total — is considered a comic genius by fans and envied by fellow filmmakers […]

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Still sexy but now fatherly, Justin Timberlake returns

by Rob Woollard with Shaun Tandon in New York Agence France-Presse MINNEAPOLIS, United States (AFP) — Once a teen idol, then a sensual R&B singer, Justin Timberlake is keeping his mojo even as he enters his next phase as a rootsy, mature father. The superstar singer and actor is roaring back to the forefront of pop culture this weekend with a one-two punch — on Friday, the release of his first album in five years, […]

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Republic Records chief on leave over harassment allegations

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — The head of Republic Records, one of the biggest music labels whose acts include Ariana Grande, Lorde and The Weeknd, was placed on leave Wednesday after sexual harassment allegations. Republic president Charlie Walk becomes one of the highest profile figures in pop music to be swept up in the rising #MeToo movement against workplace harassment, despite the industry’s notoriously louche reputation. Universal Music Group, the world’s largest label conglomerate […]

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Women of Grammys strike back after controversy

by Shaun Tandon Agence France-Presse NEW YORK, United States | AFP) — New Zealand pop prodigy Lorde has thanked her fans for supporting female musicians, as artists hit back amid controversy that the Grammy Awards neglected women — a spat fueled by comments from the Recording Academy’s president seen as disparaging. The 21-year-old’s “Melodrama” was the only work by a woman nominated for the most prestigious prize of Album of the Year on the music […]

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Weinstein wife’s label Marchesa cancels NY runway show

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Marchesa, the fashion label co-owned by Harvey Weinstein’s estranged wife Georgina Chapman and famous for clothing Hollywood starlets, has canceled its runway show at New York Fashion Week, just months after his downfall for alleged rape and sexual assault. Marchesa has been a fixture of New York’s biannual fashion week since September 2006 and had been scheduled to show on February 14 — Valentine’s Day, rather awkwardly. It was […]

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Chadwick Boseman: why ‘Black Panther’ needed African accent

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman revealed Tuesday doubters had tried to convince him not to give the superhero an African accent — and how proud he was to prove them wrong. The 41-year-old American stars in the titular role in the 18th movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe — the first black superhero to get his own standalone movie. “There was a time period where people would ask me […]

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‘Glee’ actor Mark Salling, who pleaded guilty to child porn, dead at 35

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — US actor Mark Salling, known for his role in the hit musical TV series “Glee,” died Tuesday, weeks before being sentenced for possession of child pornography, his lawyer said. He was 35. News outlet TMZ, citing law enforcement, said Salling had committed suicide by hanging. “I can confirm that Mark Salling passed away early this morning,” his lawyer Michael Proctor said in a statement. “Mark was a gentle and […]

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Fun-loving Bruno Mars divisive in his Grammy glory

by Shaun TANDON Agence France-Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — After a tumultuous political year, the Grammys took a stand for the rights of women and immigrants — but the top awards went to a singer whose mind is on sex, booze and parties. The surprise sweep by Bruno Mars has renewed criticism in quarters that the music industry’s premier prizes are out of touch with the wider world, but for fans of the […]

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