Culture

Claudia Cardinale, Iconic Italian Actress and Muse of Fellini and Visconti, Dies at 87

Sixties screen siren Claudia Cardinale, who died on Tuesday aged 87, entranced audiences across the globe with the sultry gaze that made her the muse of Luchino Visconti and Federico Fellini. With her fierce beauty and husky voice, Cardinale not only captivated Italy's greatest filmmakers, but she also played opposite most of the leading men of ...

Motswedi: Botswana’s 2,488-Carat Gem Draws Global Cultural Interest

The world's second-largest diamond could soon find a new home in a museum or a sheikh's collection, but first needs to be properly evaluated, the Belgian firm holding it told AFP Monday. Unearthed last year in Botswana, the 2,488-carat stone known as Motswedi is currently being analyzed by gem dealer HB Antwerp in the namesake port city ...

Demna Debuts Gucci Collection, Igniting New Era in Milan

Maverick Georgian designer Demna makes his debut for Gucci at Milan Fashion Week on Tuesday with a film featuring a family of Italian characters bursting with attitude, as the house pledged a "new era" in its history. The 44-year-old took over at Gucci in July after a decade at fellow Kering brand Balenciaga, tasked with helping reverse falling ...

France Confirms Loan of Bayeux Tapestry to British Museum Amid Conservation Concerns

French President Emmanuel Macron's office stressed Monday that the planned loan of the nearly 1,000-year-old Bayeux Tapestry to Britain next year was a surmountable challenge following expert outcry over the diplomatic gesture. Several heritage advisors have argued that the extremely fragile 11th-century masterpiece depicting the Norman conquest ...

Armani’s Legacy Honored at Milan Fashion Week Opening

Milan Fashion Week opens Tuesday, a feast of Italian style set to be dominated by the late Giorgio Armani's final collections and new faces at Gucci and Versace. Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Max Mara, Fendi, Roberto Cavalli, Ferragamo, and Bottega Veneta are among those showcasing their Spring/Summer 2026 women's collections throughout the week. But ...

Angelina Jolie Promoting New Film 'Couture' at San Sebastián

Angelina Jolie, 50, was in San Sebastián to promote Couture, directed by French filmmaker Alice Winocour, which is competing for the festival’s top prize, the Golden Shell. She plays Maxine Walker, an American film director facing divorce and a serious illness while navigating Paris Fashion Week and embarking on a romance with a colleague, ...

The Metropolitan Opera Reimagines Itself with New Themes and Celebrity Stars

The iconic Metropolitan Opera of New York is continuing its evolution amidst financial challenges, launching its new season this Sunday with a politically charged opera featuring a comic book superhero. The season also welcomes actress Sandra Oh, known for her roles in Grey's Anatomy and Killing Eve, in a beloved opera-comique. The Met is ...

'Titanic:' Behind the Myth of a Cult Film, the Actors’ Ordeal

Today, the movie is remembered as a cinematic fairy tale. With its 11 Oscars, iconic scenes and unforgettable love story, Titanic still floats in the collective imagination as the height of glamour. Yet behind the cameras, the shoot was more of a grueling trial than a red carpet. Icy water, sleepless nights, injuries and constant stress made the ...

Calais Exhibits Possible Remains of Lady Emma Hamilton, Legendary Lover of Horatio Nelson

Remains that could belong to Lady Emma Hamilton, the legendary lover of British naval hero Horatio Nelson who defeated French forces at the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar, went on display at a French church on Friday after a year-long investigation. It is not 100 percent certain that the remains are those of Lady Hamilton, who died in poverty in the ...

“My Father’s Shadow”: Nigeria’s First Cannes-Winning Film Returns Home

Now back in Lagos for the film’s local release, Davies reflects on the film’s deeply personal themes and its resonance with a nation still grappling with the legacy of its political past. Akinola Davies, the director of My Father's Shadow, Nigeria's first film to win an award at the Cannes film festival, is savoring his return to Lagos, the ...

ABBA, the Eternal Celebration: 50 Years of Mamma Mia

There are songs that never grow old, choruses that stand the test of time, always ready to appear at a party, on the radio or during a karaoke session, as if opening the door to an old attic full of memories. “Mamma Mia” is one of those songs. This September 2025 marks a rare milestone: 50 years of energy, bright harmonies, hands clapping on ...