Strike shuts down Pompidou Centre
AFP - Tuesday November 24, 06:41 AM
PARIS (AFP) - The Pompidou Centre was forced to shut down on Monday after staff went on strike to protest planned job cuts at the Parisian mecca of modern and contemporary art.

Lebanon to host European film festival from Thursday
AFP - Tuesday November 24, 05:23 AM
BEIRUT (AFP) - Lebanon is to host its sixteenth annual European Film Festival from Thursday.

Taiwan's dwindling birth rate causes concern
AFP - Tuesday November 24, 05:16 AM
TAIPEI (AFP) - As a schoolteacher, Ariel Shen has been observing Taiwan's declining birth rate from up close.

Bizarre candidates kick off Philippine election race
AFP - Tuesday November 24, 05:06 AM
MANILA (AFP) - Bizarre candidates such as the "Ultimate Messiah" and a man who crows like a chicken are seeking their moments of fame by making unlikely bids for president in next year's Philippine elections.

Mosques, Chinese goods, Arabic classes rebuild Silk Road
AFP - Monday November 23, 06:45 PM
YIWU, China (AFP) - Smoke from hookah pipes and the aroma of lamb skewers on the grill mix in the chilly autumn air as men talk loudly in Arabic over pulsating music beneath the neon glow of restaurant signs.

Flashy Indian brides struggle with high gold prices
AFP - Monday November 23, 01:26 PM
NEW DELHI (AFP) - For Indian brides buying jewellery, the bigger the better is the general rule, but record gold prices during this year's wedding season are forcing many to compromise.

'Twilight' sequel a bleeding money-maker
AFP - Monday November 23, 10:13 AM
LOS ANGELES (AFP) - The "Twilight" vampire romance sequel "New Moon" raked in 140.7 million dollars in its premiere weekend, a spectacular showing for the cult series, Exhibitor Relations said Sunday.

Two hurt as bulls flee Tom Cruise film set
AFP - Monday November 23, 10:07 AM
MADRID (AFP) - Two women were slightly hurt on Sunday when they were struck by bulls that escaped the set of a new film that stars Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, local police and officials said.

Beirut sets out to woo back shoppers
AFP - Monday November 23, 12:19 AM
BEIRUT (AFP) - Brimming with style, Beirut is regaining its reputation as a shoppers' paradise, with luxury labels such as Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton among a slew of shops opening in the city's renovated souks.

Sarandon gets lifetime achievement award at Stockholm film fest
AFP - Sunday November 22, 01:16 PM
STOCKHOLM (AFP) - American actress Susan Sarandon was on Saturday honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the Stockholm film festival.