LIFESTYLE

HONG KONG — Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu has died from pneumonia after contracting influenza while on a vacation in Japan, local media report. She was 48. Hsu is one of the biggest names in the Mandarin-speaking world and is best known for starring in the 2001 TV series Meteor Garden. Meteor Garden was dubbed in […]

LOS ANGELES — A stunned expression shot across Beyoncé’s face as her latest record, Cowboy Carter, was named best country album at the 67th Grammy Awards. In a moment laced with symbolism, the award was announced by Taylor Swift — another artist who has successfully switched genres — and who is Beyoncé’s competition for the

LONDON — Singer and actress Marianne Faithfull has died at the age of 78, her spokesperson has said. Born in Hampstead in December 1946, she was known for hits like As Tears Go By, which reached the UK top 10 in 1964, and for starring roles in films including 1968’s The Girl On A Motorcycle.

WASHINGTON — Researchers have detected organic compounds and minerals necessary for life in unprecedented samples collected from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu, adding evidence to the idea that asteroids likely delivered the building blocks of life to our planet early in its history. The samples are also providing a window into understanding what kind of chemical

PARIS — The Mona Lisa will be moved to a new exhibition space at the Louvre in Paris as part of a plan to renovate the world’s most frequented museum. Emmanuel Macron stood in front of the masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci as he made the announcement to an audience of dignitaries, with the change

LOS ANGELES — A song recorded for Tina Turner’s blockbuster album Private Dancer, that was presumed lost, has been rediscovered and will receive its first play on BBC Radio 2 later. Hot For You, Baby, was cut at Capitol Studios in Hollywood and originally intended to be an album track. But it was ultimately jettisoned

MADRID — Feel like airport security lines keep getting longer, or that you’re booking hotel reservations way further in advance than you used to? It’s true. The UN’s World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has just released its 2024 year-in-review data, confirming that the tourism industry has bounced back from the pandemic. About 1.4 billion people traveled

LOS ANGELES — The Oscar nominations will be announced soon, in an exciting year for the film awards race where there is no consensus frontrunner for best picture. Blockbusters such as Wicked and Dune: Part Two will compete with Emilia Pérez, Conclave, A Complete Unknown, The Brutalist and Anora when the shortlists are released at

EDMONTON, Canada — It was a simple, sunny afternoon on Canada’s Prince Edward Island as Joe Velaidum and his partner, Laura Kelly, set off to walk their dog. Noticing a stray leash lying in the yard, Velaidum briefly stopped to pick it up before setting off on a quick walk. Minutes later, a meteorite pummeled

WASHINGTON — The first study to assess how weight-loss drugs affect the whole of human health has discovered an “eye-opening” impact on the body, researchers say. The analysis, involving about two million people, linked the drugs to better heart health, fewer infections, a lower risk of drug abuse and fewer cases of dementia. The US