LOS ANGELES — The 66th Grammy Awards are set to take place Sunday at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, and there’s a lot to be excited about. Women outpace men in the major categories, so expect to see a spotlight on its female nominees. “That’s the same throughout the show, really — it’s dominated by …
Read more “2024 Grammys: SZA, Phoebe Bridgers, Victoria Monet Leading Nominations “
New York — Apple has had its first box office flop. “Argylle,” the $200-million star-studded spy thriller from Apple Studios, debuted with $18 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. The film, directed by Matthew Vaughn, managed to lead the weekend box office, but still found little interest from moviegoers. Although Apple has been …
Read more “‘Argylle,’ With Checkered Reviews, Flops With $18M for Big-Budget Apple Release”
New York — A collection of sneakers that superstar Michael Jordan wore as he and the Chicago Bulls won six NBA championships has fetched $8 million at auction, setting a record for game-worn sneakers, Sotheby’s said. The six Air Jordan shoes — one apiece from the last games of the 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and …
Read more “6 Shoes, $8 Million: Auction of Michael Jordan’s Sneakers Sets Record”
Athens — Angry Greek farmers are demanding the government follow through on promises to compensate them for income lost following a spate of severe weather last year. The farmers have taken to the streets to vent their frustrations. Angry farmers are protesting rising inflation, foreign competition and the growing costs of combating climate change. Dumping mounds …
Read more “Greek Farmers Vow to Escalate Protests Over Promised Government Compensation “
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London — Northern Ireland has begun a “decade of opportunity” during which it will hold a vote on unification with Ireland, the UK territory’s first nationalist leader said in an interview aired Sunday. Pro-Irish unity politician Michelle O’Neill made history on Saturday becoming Northern Ireland’s first minister, in a return of power-sharing after the biggest pro-UK …
Read more “Northern Irish Leader O’Neill Predicts Irish Unity Vote within Decade”
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rome — A convoy of tractors was poised Saturday to descend on Rome as farmers’ protests caused disruptions across Europe, though they wound down in France following government concessions. Farmers have expressed anger at what they say are excessively restrictive regulations on agriculture and unfair competition, among other grievances. The movement erupted in France last month …
Read more “Farmers Block Roads With Tractors in Protest of EU Regulations”
LONDON — An Irish nationalist made history Saturday by becoming Northern Ireland’s first minister as the government returned to work after a two-year boycott by unionists. Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O’Neill was named first minister in the government that under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday peace accord shares power equally between Northern …
Read more “A First: An Irish Nationalist Will Lead Northern Ireland’s Government”
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Berlin — More than 150,000 people gathered in front of the German national parliament Saturday afternoon to protest the far right, the latest in a string of large weekend demonstrations across Germany. The pro-democracy demonstrations started three weeks ago after the investigative journalists’ group Correctiv published an article saying right-wing extremists had recently met to discuss …
Read more “More Than 150,000 Gather in Berlin to Protest Far Right”
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MADRID — A poster in the southern Spanish city of Seville that depicts a young, handsome Jesus wearing only a loincloth has unleashed a storm on social media, with some calling it an affront to the figure of Christ and others posting lewd remarks and memes poking fun at the image. The poster by internationally recognized …
Read more “Too Pretty? Easter Poster of Jesus Prompts Criticism in Spain”
paris — France’s foreign minister travels to the Middle East on Saturday to test ideas about reviving an Israeli-Palestinian political process after the Gaza war as Europe tries to play a role in a conflict that has deeply divided the European Union. “There will be a discussion with his regional counterparts, especially Israeli and Palestinian counterparts, …
Read more “French Minister Heads to Mideast With Post-War Gaza Plans in Mind”
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After two years of full-scale war, a survey shows Ukrainians are more united than ever in their rejection of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his ambitions for their country. But pride at their success in standing up to a much larger adversary is tempered by anxiety over future support from the international community. VOA Eastern …
Read more “After Decade of Conflict and Turmoil, Ukrainians See a Long Road Ahead”
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London — Britain’s readiness and ability to fight a major conflict is under the spotlight after senior military officials at home and abroad questioned cuts to the country’s armed forces at a time of heightened global threats. In a rare intervention, a senior United States official urged its ally Britain to reassess the size of its …
Read more “In Rare Intervention, US Urges Britain to ‘Reassess’ Cuts to Armed Forces”
In a rare intervention, a senior U.S. official has urged Britain to reassess the size of its armed forces, given the numerous threats the West faces. As Henry Ridgwell reports, the official’s comments echo concerns of senior military commanders in Britain. …
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KYIV, UKRAINE — Army chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyilaid out a set of priorities for Ukraine and named challenges blighting the country’s war effort in an opinion piece published on Thursday after several media outlets reported that he could be dismissed from his post. General Zaluzhnyimade no mention of a rift with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy or the possibility …
Read more “Ukrainian Army Chief Sets Out Priorities Amid Uncertainty Over His Future”
THE HAGUE — The United Nations’ highest court will rule Friday if a case in which Ukraine has accused Russia of violating international law, by saying its invasion was launched to stop an alleged genocide, can move forward. Ukraine brought the case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), also known as the World Court, days …
Read more “World Court to Rule on Jurisdiction in Russia-Ukraine Genocide Case”
London — London’s High Court on Thursday threw out Donald Trump’s lawsuit against a British private investigations firm over the “Steele dossier” which alleged ties between Trump’s election campaign and Russia. Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, had brought a data protection lawsuit against Orbis Business Intelligence about claims in a dossier written …
Read more “UK Court Throws Out Trump’s ‘Steele Dossier’ Lawsuit”