theft

Dutch prosecutors urge long jail terms for Romanian helmet theft

  • Prosecutors called for him to face a 66-month sentence.
  • Prosecutors Tuesday called for the three suspected robbers of a priceless gold Romanian helmet from the fifth century BC to face lengthy jail sentences, as their trial opened in the Netherlands. 
  • Prosecutors called for him to face a 66-month sentence.
Prosecutors Tuesday called for the three suspected robbers of a priceless gold Romanian helmet from the fifth century BC to face lengthy jail sentences, as their trial opened in the Netherlands. 
The brazen January 2025 theft of the 2,500-year-old Helmet of Cotofenesti, a revered Romanian relic, along with three golden bracelets, sent shockwaves through Romania and the art world.
Police arrested three suspects days after they had allegedly used explosives and sledgehammers to break into the Drents Museum in the north of the Netherlands, making off with the treasure.
But the whereabouts of the haul remained a mystery until earlier this month, when authorities made a dramatic reveal of the helmet and two of the bracelets at a news conference at the museum.
Prosecutors struck a plea bargain with two of the suspects, identified as Jan B. (21), Douglas Chesley W. (37), for the return of the loot. They therefore called for a 44-month sentence for this pair.
The other suspect, identified as Bernhard Z. (35), refused a deal with the authorities. Prosecutors called for him to face a 66-month sentence.
The process of reaching a deal with the two suspects was "long, intensive, and complex," said prosecutors.
They have concluded that the two suspects are not in a position to return the third bracelet.
"This does not mean, however, that the search for it has ended. It continues," the prosecutor's office said in a statement.
Prosecutors presented detailed evidence they said linked the suspects to the crime, including CCTV footage and DNA traces on glass fragments and even shards of gold.
Authorities believe the trio were solely responsible for the theft.
Aside from a minor dent in the helmet, the haul was in excellent condition and is expected to be returned to Romania soon.
The Dutch government had set aside 5.7 million euros ($6.5 million) for a likely payout following the robbery.
The pieces were on loan from a Bucharest museum, whose head was promptly sacked for lending the works out in the first place.
Dutch museums and galleries have been targeted by thieves in the past -- including in November, when works by artist Andy Warhol were taken, and in 2020, when a Van Gogh was stolen from a museum.
The heists have prompted calls for better security to protect valuable artworks.
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US

French minister seeks ban of Kanye West concert in Marseille

  • Interior Minister Laurent Nunez is "highly determined" to ban the June 11 concert at Marseille's Velodrome stadium and is exploring "all possibilities", the source said. 
  • France's interior minister is seeking to block US rapper Kanye West from performing in the southern city of Marseille in June due to his antisemitic remarks, a source close to the minister told AFP on Tuesday.
  • Interior Minister Laurent Nunez is "highly determined" to ban the June 11 concert at Marseille's Velodrome stadium and is exploring "all possibilities", the source said. 
France's interior minister is seeking to block US rapper Kanye West from performing in the southern city of Marseille in June due to his antisemitic remarks, a source close to the minister told AFP on Tuesday.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez is "highly determined" to ban the June 11 concert at Marseille's Velodrome stadium and is exploring "all possibilities", the source said. 
West, 48, has been heavily criticised for making antisemitic remarks and voicing admiration for Adolf Hitler.
Britain has blocked the US rapper, also known as Ye, from entering the country due to his outbursts, prompting organisers of a festival he was to headline to cancel the July event. Prime Minister Keir Starmer had called booking West "deeply concerning."
But Dutch Asylum and Migration Minister Bart van den Brink said last week there were no plans as yet to bar the rapper from the Netherlands.
The French source said Nunez had discussed the possible concert ban with the regional prefect and the mayor of Marseille during his visit to the city last week.
Last month, Benoit Payan, the left-wing mayor, said he opposed the controversial performer's visit, saying he refused "to allow Marseille to be a showcase for those who promote hatred".
In May 2025, the rapper released a song called "Heil Hitler", months after advertising a swastika t-shirt for sale on his website.
The song was banned by major streaming platforms. West subsequently expressed regret for his conduct, blaming it on his bipolar disorder.
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Arts and Entertainment

Sony Pictures offers sneak peek of 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' at CinemaCon

BY PAULA RAMON

  • Sony Pictures Entertainment also unveiled a first glimpse at "Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse", the animated spin-off due to hit theaters in June 2027. 
  • Sony Pictures Entertainment kicked off CinemaCon on Monday with a sneak peek of "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" and a new installment of "Jumanji".
  • Sony Pictures Entertainment also unveiled a first glimpse at "Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse", the animated spin-off due to hit theaters in June 2027. 
Sony Pictures Entertainment kicked off CinemaCon on Monday with a sneak peek of "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" and a new installment of "Jumanji".
Tom Rothman, president and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, unveiled two posters for the latest Spider-Man film starring Tom Holland and Zendaya, set to hit American theaters on July 31.
The release comes four years after "Spider-Man: No Way Home" became the studio's highest-grossing film with approximately $1.9 billion in global box office receipts.
"It feels like nothing we've ever made," Rothman said at the Colosseum Theater in Las Vegas, before introducing lead actor Holland, who joined virtually. 
"It's the most emotional Spider-Man movie we've ever made, and in some ways, the most grown up," said Holland, who plays the arachnid superhero.
In a short clip shown at CinemaCon, where film studios bring in their stars and offer a sneak peek at their upcoming slate, Holland's Peter Parker faces the consequences of the decisions he made in the previous film, which ended on a cliffhanger.
Not only do his friends have no idea he exists, but his girlfriend MJ -- played by Zendaya -- has a new love interest.
Expectations for the film are high, with its trailer gaining millions of views since its release last month.
The film, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, will star Mark Ruffalo, Jon Bernthal and Sadie Sink.
Sony Pictures Entertainment also unveiled a first glimpse at "Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse", the animated spin-off due to hit theaters in June 2027. 
It closed its presentation with a clip from the third installment of "Jumanji".
Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black and Kevin Hart said that "Jumanji: Open World", set for release in December this year, will feature tributes to the late actor Robin Williams, who starred in the first film of the popular franchise.

Box office optimism

Sony Pictures Entertainment's presentation marked the start of CinemaCon, which this year focuses on optimism over the year's strong start at the box office. 
Rothman celebrated the progress, but noted that sales have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels.
"We all have urgent work to do," Rothman said. "For our part, that means delivering a variety of great films to all kinds of audiences. But you, my friends, have an urgent part to play." 
"Affordability is by far the hardest. Going to the movies must become affordable again," he added.
CinemaCon will also provide an opportunity to reflect on how to sustain the momentum in the industry, in a year that could bring significant changes -- such as the expected takeover of legendary studio Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skysdance.
"When you have consolidation of legacy studios, as we learned with Disney and Fox, the amount of movies produced goes down, prices go up, and we think that is bad for theaters," Michael O'Leary, CEO of Cinema United, which organizes the gathering, told AFP last week. 
CinemaCon, which takes place from April 13-16, will host presentations in the coming days from Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Neon, Walt Disney Studios and Amazon MGM Studios.
The event is also set to attract a host of stars, with Zendaya, Matt Damon, Timothee Chalamet, Tom Cruise and Christopher Nolan all expected to attend.
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music

Oasis, Phil Collins and Luther Vandross among Rock Hall inductees

  • "Induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is music's highest honor," said the organization's chairman John Sykes.
  • Dad rocker Phil Collins and reformed Britpop princes Oasis led the 2026 class of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees who were announced on live US television on Monday.
  • "Induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is music's highest honor," said the organization's chairman John Sykes.
Dad rocker Phil Collins and reformed Britpop princes Oasis led the 2026 class of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees who were announced on live US television on Monday.
Billy Idol, chanteuse Sade, metal legends Iron Maiden and Manchester outfits Joy Division and New Order were also honored, along with hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan and velvet-voiced crooner Luther Vandross.
The announcements of the honorees came in a live episode of the "American Idol" competition, helmed by rockers Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo. 
"Induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is music's highest honor," said the organization's chairman John Sykes.
"We look forward to celebrating these remarkable artists at this year's ceremony -– it's going to be an unforgettable night."
The induction ceremony -- which doubles as a star-studded concert gala rife with tributes to the honorees -- will be held November 14 in Los Angeles.
Eligible nominees into the Rock Hall must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to being nominated.
Phil Collins, Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan are first-time nominees. Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division, New Order, Oasis, and Sade have all been nominated in the past, but were not selected for induction.
The 2025 class of inductees included Outkast, White Stripes and Cyndi Lauper.
hg/sla

court

Harvey Weinstein rape retrial to start Tuesday

BY GREGORY WALTON

  • The jury in June's proceedings convicted Weinstein of sexual assault against movie producer Miriam Haley.
  • The retrial of disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein on a rape charge on which a jury was previously deadlocked begins Tuesday, although he will remain imprisoned for other offenses regardless of the verdict.
  • The jury in June's proceedings convicted Weinstein of sexual assault against movie producer Miriam Haley.
The retrial of disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein on a rape charge on which a jury was previously deadlocked begins Tuesday, although he will remain imprisoned for other offenses regardless of the verdict.
Weinstein is accused of the third-degree rape of Jessica Mann, who starred in the 2015 romantic commedy "This Isn't Funny."
The judge declared a mistrial last June after the jury foreperson refused to return to deliberate the case amid a jury-room feud.
Weinstein will now face a retrial on that count in the Manhattan court.
Weinstein's spokesman Juda Engelmayer told AFP: "He is hopeful and expects a fair process where the facts will vindicate him."
Weinstein, 74, and wheelchair-bound by ill-health, is already serving a 16-year prison term in a California case for the rape of a European actress more than a decade ago. He is appealing that conviction with a hearing scheduled for April 23.
The Oscar-winning Weinstein has faced a litany of prosecutions since allegations against him exploded into public in 2017 -- helping to spur the "MeToo" movement.
The jury in June's proceedings convicted Weinstein of sexual assault against movie producer Miriam Haley. He is appealing that conviction. He was acquitted of sexual assault against Polish-born actress, Kaja Sokola.
Haley testified in Weinstein's original 2020 conviction, which resulted in a 23-year prison term, which was thrown out in 2024 after an appeals court found irregularities in the way witnesses were presented.

'Threatened and derided'

Weinstein has hired a new legal team, including Jacob Kaplan as well as Marc Agnifilo who represents high profile figures including rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs.
Weinstein has claimed to be under threat at the notorious Rikers Island jail complex in the Bronx where he is being held, leaving him in solitary confinement for the most part.
"I'm constantly threatened and derided. I wouldn't last long out there," he told the Hollywood Reporter at the start of the year.
He claimed to have been punched "hard in the face" while waiting to make a telephone call in the prison.
"I fell on the floor, bleeding everywhere. I was hurt really badly," he told the Reporter.
gw/msp/dw

history

Inside the fireproof vault housing US movie history

BY MATTHEW PENNINGTON

  • They also tapped the personal collections of film icons like movie impresario and silent era star Mary Pickford and motion pictures inventor Thomas Edison, whose early studio produced hundreds of films.
  • Once upon a time in the golden days of Hollywood, the movies were bigger, the stars brighter and the celluloid they were filmed on was, well, explosive.
  • They also tapped the personal collections of film icons like movie impresario and silent era star Mary Pickford and motion pictures inventor Thomas Edison, whose early studio produced hundreds of films.
Once upon a time in the golden days of Hollywood, the movies were bigger, the stars brighter and the celluloid they were filmed on was, well, explosive.
Which is why the US Library of Congress maintains a special, fireproof vault in Virginia, near Washington, DC.
There, the highly combustible nitrate film used from the dawn of cinema in the 1890s until the early 1950s has a permanent home, rarely accessed by the public but toured by AFP.
Lost movies on the volatile but durable medium are still being discovered and preserved in the facility. And thanks to digitization, the lost treasures can also be safely viewed for the first time in decades.
Some 145,000 film reels are stored in strictly fireproof conditions in a vast, chilly vault at the library’s National Audio-Visual Conservation Center in Culpeper, Virginia.
It is crammed with cinematic treasures that rekindle warm memories of an era when movies ruled.
The vault's leader, George Willeman, reeled off the names of classics with negatives there: "Casablanca," Frank Capra-directed films like "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," and the grand-daddy of all action movies, "The Great Train Robbery" from 1903.
Down a spartan corridor so long it seemed to recede into the distance, he unlocked a series of cell-like steel doors.
Inside each of the 124 cells -- there's one dedicated just to the Disney archive -- were floor-to-ceiling cubby holes.
Each one held film canisters containing negatives and prints, all arranged meticulously: packed tight to prevent canisters from opening, but far enough apart to prevent any fire from spreading.
Since being set up in 2007 in a former US Federal Reserve building in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the vault has maintained a perfect no-fire record.

Film nerds' delight

Nitrate film is just part of the center's collection of more than six million items of moving images and recorded sound. They also have supporting scripts, posters and photos.
Willeman, who sports a button badge with the invocation to "Experience Nitrate," said the Library of Congress began preserving the medium when in the 1960s, "it was discovered that so much film was being lost" due to fires and defunct companies throwing negatives away.
With the American Film Institute, the library began collecting and copying nitrate film, including the holdings of big Hollywood studios – RKO, Warner Brothers, Universal, Columbia and Walt Disney.
They also tapped the personal collections of film icons like movie impresario and silent era star Mary Pickford and motion pictures inventor Thomas Edison, whose early studio produced hundreds of films.
"We're 50 some years in, and it (the collection) just keeps growing," Willeman said.
With the arrival of digital media, the mission has expanded beyond preservation for purists and cinema historians -- who say movies just look better on nitrate footage -- to putting old films online.
"Now we can make them available for everybody, which to me, being the film nerd I've been since, like, third grade, is just amazing."
Nitrate film made by early artisans often preserves better than the later safety film, said Courtney Holschuh, nitrate archive technician.
At a workstation with no light bulbs or exposed batteries -- either of which could ignite dust or gas from vintage film -- Holschuh recounted how last September she carefully peeled apart a cache of 10 vintage reels donated by a retired schoolteacher.
There were 42 different titles on the reels -- only 26 of which have been identified. They included a lost film, "Gugusse and the Automaton," by French cinema pioneer Georges Melies.
"So much of our early film history is still out there for us to see and to experience," Willeman said.
msp/sms

film

CinemaCon starts with box office optimism

BY PAULA RAMON

  • "When you have consolidation of legacy studios, as we learned with Disney and Fox, the amount of movies produced goes down, prices go up, and we think that is bad for theaters," Michael O'Leary, CEO of Cinema United, which organizes the gathering, told AFP last week. 
  • Movie theater owners huddled in Las Vegas on Monday for their annual meeting, buoyed by optimism over the year's strong start at the box office.
  • "When you have consolidation of legacy studios, as we learned with Disney and Fox, the amount of movies produced goes down, prices go up, and we think that is bad for theaters," Michael O'Leary, CEO of Cinema United, which organizes the gathering, told AFP last week. 
Movie theater owners huddled in Las Vegas on Monday for their annual meeting, buoyed by optimism over the year's strong start at the box office.
CinemaCon, where film studios bring in their stars and offer a sneak peek at their upcoming slate, will serve as a stage to celebrate a 23-percent jump in takings year-on-year, in the industry's best first-quarter performance since before the pandemic.
But it will also provide an opportunity to reflect on how to sustain the momentum in a year that could bring significant changes — such as the expected takeover of legendary studio Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skysdance.
"When you have consolidation of legacy studios, as we learned with Disney and Fox, the amount of movies produced goes down, prices go up, and we think that is bad for theaters," Michael O'Leary, CEO of Cinema United, which organizes the gathering, told AFP last week. 
The trade group has voiced its concerns to US and international regulators, urging them to scrutinize the expected merger closely.
"We continue to oppose this transaction (and) encourage them to look closely at this merger, because the consequences of it are serious," he said.

Demographic Shifts

CinemaCon is set to draw a constellation of stars to the Colosseum Theater at Caesars Palace. 
This year, attendees can expect appearances from Zendaya, Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Timothee Chalamet, and Tom Cruise, as well as acclaimed director Christopher Nolan, who is behind the epic "The Odyssey" slated for release in July. 
Presentations by the traditional studios kick off on Monday, when Sony will reveal what it has in store for 2026. 
CinemaCon, which runs until Thursday, will also serve as a forum to discuss some of the structural changes in movie-going habits that are affecting the industry.
These include the shifts in audience habits engendered by the pandemic and the explosion of streaming, which has seen viewers choosing to stay on the couch.
But they also include a surge in cinema-going by Gen Z, apparently attracted by the "authenticity" of the experience.
A decade ago, filmgoers in the United States and Canada would frequently spend more than $11 billion annually at the cinema, but since the pandemic, the total take has not exceeded $9 billion.
This year's string of big releases has sparked hopes that there could be a return to such lofty numbers.
The opening weekend for Amazon MGM's "Project Hail Mary" logged a healthy $81 million, and was followed up by "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" with $131 million.
Upcoming releases expected to do well include Michael Jackson biopic "Michael," "The Devil Wears Prada 2," "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu," "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," "The Odyssey," and the third installment in the epic "Dune" series.
CinemaCon will also present awards for big-screen achievements to a diverse group of stars, including actor LaKeith Stanfield ("Atlanta"), rapper and songwriter Queen Latifah, and acclaimed director James Cameron. Catherine Laga’aia, the star of the live-action adaptation of "Moana", will be recognized as the Breakthrough Star of the Year. 
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RollingStones

Satisfaction as Rolling Stones drop track under Cockroaches name

BY JOE JACKSON AND ARINA PORKHOVNIK

  • The band released their first album in 18 years in late 2023, with "Hackney Diamonds" topping the album charts in more than a dozen countries and earning some critical acclaim.
  • The Rolling Stones have mysteriously released a new limited edition single on vinyl only, under the band name The Cockroaches, further fueling speculation the British rockers are poised to drop a 25th studio album. 
  • The band released their first album in 18 years in late 2023, with "Hackney Diamonds" topping the album charts in more than a dozen countries and earning some critical acclaim.
The Rolling Stones have mysteriously released a new limited edition single on vinyl only, under the band name The Cockroaches, further fueling speculation the British rockers are poised to drop a 25th studio album. 
The track -- called "Rough and Twisted" -- went on sale Saturday, reportedly in extremely limited numbers in selected independent record stores around the world.
Sounds of the Universe, in London's Soho, was the only place in the British capital to receive the coveted records, which were sold in a plain white sleeve without any reference to the Stones.
The store -- located in the same building where the legendary band held its first rehearsals -- got just 14 copies to sell, according to Angela Scott, whose partner owns the record retailer and who was working there Saturday.
The Stones' record label Universal Music "called us on Friday and told us that they had some records for us and could we sell them on Saturday," she told AFP.
"They told someone here maybe that it was the Rolling Stones and they're called the Cockroaches," Scott explained.
"They said it was because of the building being the Rolling Stones' building -- that's how we were selected."
Scott noted the label insisted the record had to be sold for exactly £10.07 ($13.54).
"They didn't explain but one of the fans in the queue said he reckons that it might be the release date of the album." 
The 14 copies in London sold out instantly, after some fans got wind of the release and queued up in advance.
"One of the guys had queued from three o'clock in the morning," noted Scott, even though the store does not open until 10 am on Saturday.
 

'64 & counting'

 
The first 14 in line had "all finished buying them by five past 10" but one was willing to play the new track in-store.
"All of the people that queued were all able to hear it and that was a moment for them. They loved it. They were all very happy," she recounted.
"Then we had to put a sign up that said 'Cockroaches sold out', because obviously everyone was turning up and disappointed."
Saturday's limited sale followed days of teasing the release online on a newly-created Cockroaches Instagram page and website and, in London at least, through posters featuring a QR code linking back to the website.
One video featured on the Instagram channel included a caption that read "64 & counting" -- an apparent reference to the number of years since the Rolling Stones were founded.
The Cockroaches is an alias that lead singer Mick Jagger, fellow founding bandmate Keith Richards and bass guitarist Ronnie Wood have used in the past to play secret shows.
The band released their first album in 18 years in late 2023, with "Hackney Diamonds" topping the album charts in more than a dozen countries and earning some critical acclaim.
The new record appeared to be following suit, with The Daily Telegraph's chief music critic Neil McCormick saying the band were "back with a pile-driving blues stomp".
Fan Harry, 21, who works at a Rolling Stones clothing store also in London's Soho district, welcomed the snippets of the new material that he had heard, calling it "very old school".
"It's a lot of really old blues-style playing," he told AFP. "I definitely think fans will enjoy it."
However, some appear willing to part with the new record, with several appearing for sale on eBay and one listed for a minimum of nearly $600.
jj-str/jkb/gv

celebrity

Karol G honors Latinos in Coachella headline performance: 'Feel proud'

BY PAULA RAMON

  • The Medellin-born singer delivered a dazzling performance filled with fireworks, dancing and sensuality.
  • Colombian reggaeton star Karol G delivered rhythm, dance, charisma and Latin empowerment in her headlining performance at Coachella on Sunday.
  • The Medellin-born singer delivered a dazzling performance filled with fireworks, dancing and sensuality.
Colombian reggaeton star Karol G delivered rhythm, dance, charisma and Latin empowerment in her headlining performance at Coachella on Sunday.
The first Latina to headline the festival held annually in Indio, California, said she felt "very proud" of a milestone she noted was a long time coming.
"There has been 27 years about this festival going on, and it's the first time a Latina girl is headlining Coachella," she said, thanking the artists who paved the way before her.
With a slight delay that appeared to be due to technical difficulties, the 35-year-old opened with a song centered on a woman who was challenged to find her place of belonging.
She then brought energy to the stage with "Latina Foreva," the hit from her most recent album "Tropicoqueta" released last year.
Wearing a gold bikini, she danced in the style of her fellow countrywoman Shakira. Accompanied by a large group of dancers, she used every inch of a stage built to resemble a stone cave.
Karol G revisited her catalog, including hits such as "TQG," "Gatubela" and "Amargura".
She invited Mariah Angeliq to the stage to sing "El Makinon," Becky G for her empowering anthem "Mamiii" and Greg Gonzalez, guitarist of Cigarettes After Sex, to debut a ballad.
She also brought along an all-female mariachi ensemble, as well as reggaeton artist Wisin, who ignited the crowd with a medley of classics from the genre, including "Noche de Entierro" and "Rakata".
The Medellin-born singer delivered a dazzling performance filled with fireworks, dancing and sensuality. But it also showed empathy and a strong connection to her fans.
"This is for my Latinos that have been struggling in this country lately. We stand for them," she said, urging Latinos not to "feel fear" but to "feel proud of where you come from."
Then, dressed in the colors of her national flag, she invited the audience to "sing from the heart" the emblematic "Mi Tierra" by Gloria Estefan, which honors roots and speaks of the pain of migration.
Some of her fans started the day by visiting the flea market near the festival that the singer promoted on her social media to support Latino brands in the United States.
"I'm so excited," said Cristina Medina, bursting into tears.
"'Latina Foreva' means strength and pride in being Latino, and in supporting each other. Look at this opportunity she gave to Latinos. She is very special," she said.
Medina went to the flea market organized by Bichota Records to get a taste of the reggaeton star's look. She saw the Colombian singer's makeup artist, Duvan Foronda, who came to the event to do makeup for fans and promote his clothing line.
Foronda took requests and applied "lots of glitter, lots of sparkle" to several fans.

'Lust for Life'

The architect of big beat, Fatboy Slim, and the godfather of punk, Iggy Pop, also performed at the Empire Polo Club in Indio.
While Fatboy Slim had the crowd dancing for two hours, 78-year-old Iggy Pop rocked the audience with classics such as "Lust for Life," "The Passenger," and "Nightclubbing."
The legendary musician left the stage in a coffin at the end of his set.
Major Lazer earlier energized the main stage with a set that included British rapper M.I.A., who performed her anthem "Paper Planes."
The first weekend of Coachella, which marks the start of the festival season in the United States, kicked off on Friday with pop star Sabrina Carpenter headlining with her "Sabrinawood" show -- a love letter to film that brought together big-screen stars Sam Elliott, Susan Sarandon and Will Ferrell.
Canadian superstar Justin Bieber reconnected with his audience on Saturday after nearly four years away from major stages. That followed electrifying performances by the techno-industrial collaboration Nine Inch Noize -- the result of a partnership between Nine Inch Nails and German producer Boys Noize -- and New York rockers The Strokes. 
Surprises on the second day included Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins, who sang his 90s hit "1979" alongside indie up-and-comer Sombr, and Jennifer Lopez, who appeared during the set of French DJ David Guetta.
Coachella will return next weekend with a nearly identical lineup.
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music

Singer Luisa Sonza shares 'unique experience' of Coachella debut

BY PAULA RAMON

  • Sonza reflected on "Brutal Paraiso," an album she composed to "talk about life and its difficulties and beauties."
  • Brazilian singer Luisa Sonza brought her newly released album "Brutal Paraiso" to Coachella this weekend in a performance she described as "a unique experience."
  • Sonza reflected on "Brutal Paraiso," an album she composed to "talk about life and its difficulties and beauties."
Brazilian singer Luisa Sonza brought her newly released album "Brutal Paraiso" to Coachella this weekend in a performance she described as "a unique experience."
"I don't think I've felt that way, like I was doing something for the first time in a long time," Sonza told AFP in an interview at the Empire Polo Club, where the California music festival is held.
Sonza performed Saturday on the Gobi Stage -- which year after year hosts indie and alternative acts -- in front of a crowd that danced and sang along in an intimate yet energetic atmosphere.
"Doing a show with the new album was almost like being at the beginning of my career again. It was very special, a dream come true," said the 27-year-old singer, who brought along Argentine reggaeton artist Emilia to perform their collaboration "bunda."
Sonza reflected on "Brutal Paraiso," an album she composed to "talk about life and its difficulties and beauties."
"Life is brutal, but it is also a paradise, and it's about going through many different moments," said Sonza, who is from Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil.
The project, released just before Coachella, blended a diverse range of rhythms such as pop, Brazilian funk, R&B and bossa nova -- a mix that, for Sonza, is the essence of Brazil.
"People from outside think that Brazil is just one thing, but Brazil is a country where we are a whole world in one (place). And I think that, obviously, is part of me," she said.
Sonza doesn't see musical genres and their rhythms as a label to fit into, but rather "as the feelings I had to sing about."
The Brazilian star, who is experiencing a meteoric rise in her career, maintained that music is what guides her.
"You have to have the courage to follow what you believe in, to take risks," she said. "I don't like to stay the same; I like to create and discover new things."
"Music keeps me moving, alive," she added.
The Coachella performance, a milestone in her burgeoning career, feels like a taste of what's to come for the artist as she prepares to embark on an international tour -- "showing the world a bit of 'Brutal Paradise'."
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film

Lost film of French cinema pioneer retrieved from US attic

BY MATTHEW PENNINGTON WITH JEFF KOWALSKY IN JENISON, UNITED STATES

  • For the past 20 years, McFarland, 76, had been the keeper of the trunk, which originally belonged to his late great-grandfather who showed silent movies to audiences in rural Pennsylvania at the turn of the 20th century.
  • The battered wooden trunk had been in the family for a century -- shifted from attic to barn to garage as it was handed down through the generations.
  • For the past 20 years, McFarland, 76, had been the keeper of the trunk, which originally belonged to his late great-grandfather who showed silent movies to audiences in rural Pennsylvania at the turn of the 20th century.
The battered wooden trunk had been in the family for a century -- shifted from attic to barn to garage as it was handed down through the generations. No one knew a cinematic treasure was inside.
That was until retired high school teacher Bill McFarland's curiosity got the better of him. 
For the past 20 years, McFarland, 76, had been the keeper of the trunk, which originally belonged to his late great-grandfather who showed silent movies to audiences in rural Pennsylvania at the turn of the 20th century.
"It was just this trunk of films that seemed too good to throw away. But I had no idea what they were or how to show them," McFarland told AFP. 
He offered them to museums and even tried to sell them through an antique store, whose owner soon told him to take them away after learning vintage nitrate film reels were highly combustible and could explode.
Then last summer, McFarland drove from his home in the northern state of Michigan to the US Library of Congress’ National Audio-Visual Conservation Center in Culpeper in the southern state of Virginia.
He was in for a surprise -- a pleasant one.

Pioneering short film

Spliced in the middle of one of the 10 reels was a lost short film by Georges Melies, a French cinema pioneer -- the first to experiment with fictional narratives and special effects at the very dawn of moving pictures.
The 45-second film, "Gugusse and the Automaton," was made in 1897 -- just two years after the Lumiere Brothers staged the world's first public screening of a movie in Paris.
Melies, a theatrical showman and magician, attended that screening and was inspired to make films of his own. He is most famous for "A Trip to the Moon" (1902) with its iconic scene of a rocket landing in the eye of the man in the Moon.
By a decade later, his filmmaking had fallen out of vogue as the center of the movie world shifted from Europe to America.
Melies ended up as a toy seller in Paris’ Gare Montparnasse train station -- a story that was dramatized in Martin Scorsese’s 2011 film, "Hugo." But his legacy endured.
"He was one of the first filmmakers," said George Willeman, leader of the congressional library's nitrate film vault, who said the recovered reel was likely a third-generation copy of the Melies original. "And one of the first to experience film piracy."

Copy's miraculous survival

In retrospect, piracy was a salvation for film historians as it means that Melies' work lives on.
Reputedly, he destroyed hundreds of his own negatives, and the celluloid was melted down -- and some of it used as raw material to make soldiers' boots during World War I.
While "Gugusse and the Automaton" was known to be in Melies' back catalogue, no one had seen it until McFarland delivered it to the library in his Toyota sedan last September.
It features a magician -- played by Melies -- cranking up an automaton that grows in size and then beats the magician on the head with a stick. The magician retaliates by bashing the automaton with a sledgehammer until it disappears, shrinking through a surprisingly slick series of jump cuts.
"These single frame cuts are really precise for a movie this old, and the gags are timeless," said Jason Evans Groth, curator of the library's moving image section, who recounted McFarland popping the trunk of his car with the film reels inside when he arrived in Culpeper.
The film's discovery has taken McFarland on another journey -- learning about the life of his great-grandfather William DeLyle Frisbee.

'Ticking time bomb'

Born in 1860 in the rural northwest of Pennsylvania, Frisbee was a stocky, mustached man with many strings to his bow. 
He grew potatoes, kept bees, made maple syrup and taught school three months each year. In his downtime he would travel by horse and buggy across Pennsylvania and neighboring states with what he called his "exhibition": a new-fangled Edison phonograph, a magic lantern slide projector and later on, movies. 
Well-thumbed pocket diaries describe Frisbee's travels. "Gave the exhibition at Garland, $5 receipts, rough crowd," reads one entry, referring to a community in northwestern Pennsylvania.
"I can only imagine Saturday night, they might have been liquored up a little bit," observed McFarland. "I wonder if there were disappointed customers, or if they were just rowdy? Maybe they were excited at seeing these pictures."
A century on, and the archivists at the Library of Congress were excited too.
An alarmed McFarland watched specialists whisk the precious reels to a refrigerated vault, already home to tens of thousands of films from the golden age of Hollywood -- and specially designed to prevent a nitrate-fueled fire.
"It finally really registered that I had been...carrying a ticking time bomb," McFarland said.
Library film preservation specialists spent a week restoring the film reel frame-by-frame and digitizing it. The reel was shrunken through age and frayed, but otherwise in remarkable condition for something stashed in sun-heated attics for years.
It’s now a piece of cinema history, viewable on the library’s website.
msp/sms

Canada

Galactic 'Super Mario' rules N. America box office for second week

  • The animated sequel from Universal and Illumination Studios tracks the adventures of Mario, Luigi and friends in outer space, where they must save Princess Rosalina.
  • "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" -- based on Nintendo's popular video game franchise -- reigned supreme at North America's box office, stomping competitors for a second straight week, industry estimates showed Sunday.
  • The animated sequel from Universal and Illumination Studios tracks the adventures of Mario, Luigi and friends in outer space, where they must save Princess Rosalina.
"The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" -- based on Nintendo's popular video game franchise -- reigned supreme at North America's box office, stomping competitors for a second straight week, industry estimates showed Sunday.
The animated sequel from Universal and Illumination Studios tracks the adventures of Mario, Luigi and friends in outer space, where they must save Princess Rosalina. It features the voices of Jack Black, Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy and Brie Larson.
It raked in $69 million in its second weekend, for a domestic total of $308.1 million, plus an additional $321 million internationally, Exhibitor Relations reported.
Holding its own in second place in its fourth week in theaters is another space adventure flick, "Project Hail Mary," which earned $24.6 million over the weekend in the United States and Canada.
The Amazon MGM film, which stars Ryan Gosling as a teacher-turned-astronaut who awakes on a spaceship with a mission to save Earth from a dimming sun, has earned nearly $257 million in total domestically.
Maintaining third spot was "The Drama," a romantic comedy in its second week starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson about a couple unraveling just before their wedding. The A24 film earned $8.7 million.
Debuting in fourth was another rom com, Universal's "You, Me & Tuscany" starring actress-singer Halle Bailey and Rege-Jean Page (of "Bridgerton" fame), at $8 million.
Analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research called it a "fair opening" for the original romantic comedy, which was shot on Italy's Amalfi coast.
"Critics' reviews are good-not-great, but rom coms are crowd-pleasers and the audience score is excellent," he said.
Fifth place went to Disney/Pixar animated hit "Hoppers," the story of a young animal lover who uses technology to transfer her consciousness into a robotic beaver so she can better communicate and protect wildlife. It earned $4.1 million.
The film has pulled in $354 million globally over six weeks.
Rounding out the top 10:
"Faces of Death" ($1.7 million)
"Exit 8" ($1.4 million)
"A Great Awakening" ($1.25 million)
"Reminders of Him" ($1 million)
"Ready or Not 2: Here I Come" ($867,000)
bur-mlm

music

Justin Bieber reconnects with fans on Coachella's second day

BY PAULA RAMON

  • After opening with several tracks from "Swag II," Bieber sat at a computer and began a journey into the past, searching for his videos on YouTube and singing snippets from "That Should Be Me," "Beauty and a Beat," "Never Say Never," the teen pop anthem "Baby" and others hits.
  • With a minimalist set and a trip through his musical past, pop superstar Justin Bieber returned to the stage on Saturday night to headline the second day of Coachella.
  • After opening with several tracks from "Swag II," Bieber sat at a computer and began a journey into the past, searching for his videos on YouTube and singing snippets from "That Should Be Me," "Beauty and a Beat," "Never Say Never," the teen pop anthem "Baby" and others hits.
With a minimalist set and a trip through his musical past, pop superstar Justin Bieber returned to the stage on Saturday night to headline the second day of Coachella.
The Canadian singer has not performed at a venue of Coachella's size since 2022, when he appeared at Rock in Rio in Brazil before canceling the remainder of his international tour due to health issues.
Last year Bieber released the album "Swag," quickly followed by his eighth studio album "Swag II."
While Bieber has recently played smaller shows, Coachella was billed as the start of his full-scale comeback.
Bieber earlier said in an Instagram post that "We WILL be singing at the top of our lungs on Saturday."
Dressed in a red sweater, shorts and black boots, the 32-year-old artist made good on his promise, playing the role of DJ and taking requests from online viewers.
After opening with several tracks from "Swag II," Bieber sat at a computer and began a journey into the past, searching for his videos on YouTube and singing snippets from "That Should Be Me," "Beauty and a Beat," "Never Say Never," the teen pop anthem "Baby" and others hits.
"This is special," he told the crowd. "This is a night I dreamed about for a long time, so to be here is amazing."
Bieber also showed his old clips on YouTube, as well as moments captured by the ever-present cameras following him and his wife, Hailey Bieber.

Eclectic offerings

Earlier in the day, New York City rockers The Strokes took the stage and announced a new album for June, following a six-year hiatus for the band.
They played anthems including "Hard to Explain," "Reptilia," "Last Nite" and "Someday."
Other acts in the spotlight Saturday included Nine Inch Noize -- the collaboration between legendary industrial band Nine Inch Nails and German producer Boys Noize -- who also have an album on the way.
With dramatic lighting and intense sound, the band had fans jumping with versions of songs like "Closer," "Heresy," "The Warning" and "Copy of A."
The set by rising indie star Sombr featured Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins, and together they performed the rock band's 1990s hit "1979."
With nine stages, the festival hosted a wide range of genres, including Brazil's Luisa Sonza, influencer-turned-singer Addison Rae, Britain's PinkPantheress, K-pop star Taemin and David Byrne, the legendary co-founder of the band Talking Heads.
Coachella kicked off Friday with performances from headliner Sabrina Carpenter, Moby, Devo and surprise appearances from Lizzo, David Lee Roth and HUNTR/X, who performed their Oscar-winning "Golden" alongside KATSEYE.
Carpenter's performance of hits like "Manchild," "Espresso" and "Please, Please, Please" was helped by big-screen stars Sam Elliott, Susan Sarandon and Will Ferrell, who rounded out her 90-minute set.
The festival runs this weekend and next weekend, with a nearly identical lineup. It can be viewed on YouTube.
pr/hol/lga

Bollywood

Legendary Indian singer Asha Bhosle dies aged 92

  • Born on September 8, 1933 to a musical family, Bhosle began singing as a child alongside her elder sister, Lata Mangeshkar, after their father's death. 
  • Legendary Indian playback singer Asha Bhosle, whose voice defined Bollywood music through the 1970s and 80s, died Sunday in Mumbai aged 92, her family said.
  • Born on September 8, 1933 to a musical family, Bhosle began singing as a child alongside her elder sister, Lata Mangeshkar, after their father's death. 
Legendary Indian playback singer Asha Bhosle, whose voice defined Bollywood music through the 1970s and 80s, died Sunday in Mumbai aged 92, her family said.
Two-time Grammy nominee Bhosle breathed her last at the Breach Candy hospital where she was admitted with complaints of "extreme exhaustion" and chest infection.
"My mother passed away today (Sunday). Her last rites will be held tomorrow at Shivaji Park in Mumbai," her son Anand Bhosle told reporters.
Bhosle recorded more than 12,000 songs in multiple Indian languages over a seven‑decade career.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "deeply saddened" by her death.
"Her extraordinary musical journey, spanning decades, enriched our cultural heritage and touched countless hearts across the world," he said in a post on X.
"She will continue to inspire generations and her songs will forever echo in people's lives."
Born on September 8, 1933 to a musical family, Bhosle began singing as a child alongside her elder sister, Lata Mangeshkar, after their father's death. 
Often compared to Mangeshkar -- revered as "India's nightingale" who died in 2022 -- Bhosle forged her own path, embracing genres from pop to folk.
Her early life was marked by struggle, including a turbulent marriage at 16. 
She went on to become one of Indian cinema's most versatile and celebrated voices, receiving the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2001 and earning two Grammy nominations.
Bhosle continued collaborating with global artists well into her later years, including a recent feature on British virtual band Gorillaz's album The Mountain ("Parvat").
Beyond music, she nurtured her passion for food, launching her "Asha's" restaurant chain in Dubai and Britain.
sh/abh/mtp

music

Imagine Dragons frontman chases childhood video game dream

  • But when Imagine Dragons "just blew up" while they were at university, Dan, a fan of "Starcraft" and "League of Legends", went with the flow, enlisting Mac along the way as manager.
  • A childhood dream of making video games is becoming a reality this week for Imagine Dragons' singer Dan Reynolds, as his company's debut title "Last Flag" is released Tuesday.
  • But when Imagine Dragons "just blew up" while they were at university, Dan, a fan of "Starcraft" and "League of Legends", went with the flow, enlisting Mac along the way as manager.
A childhood dream of making video games is becoming a reality this week for Imagine Dragons' singer Dan Reynolds, as his company's debut title "Last Flag" is released Tuesday.
Games had been a passion of Reynolds and his brother and band manager Mac long before the group became a global name.
Now the pair have used some time away from music to build a team-based shooter inspired by the games of Capture the Flag they played in the woods as young Boy Scouts.
"Last Flag" is "not a passion project, (we've) been working on it now for five-plus years," Reynolds told journalists during a virtual news conference.
Their roughly 30-strong studio, Night Street Games, has been working on "Last Flag" since its 2020 founding.
The game sorts players into two teams of five who can battle online, competing to hide their own flag and snatch the opposing team's banner.
"I grew up in a family of eight boys and one girl, and we were all nerdy kids," 38-year-old Dan Reynolds remembered.
Creating their own game had been "this dream that we talked about all the time" as they learned skills such as programming and 3D modelling.
But when Imagine Dragons "just blew up" while they were at university, Dan, a fan of "Starcraft" and "League of Legends", went with the flow, enlisting Mac along the way as manager.
Tracks such as "Believer", "Thunder" and "Radioactive" have made the band one of the most popular pop rock groups worldwide.
It has sold 74 million albums and racked up 160 billion streams, according to record label Warner Music Group.
The band's ride has been "just incredible", Dan said.
"But we talked all the time during that about 'what if?'" the brothers had gone through with their gaming dream, he added.
When the time finally came, they devised a brightly coloured world filled with seventies stylings.
"Last Flag" bears visual similarities to the genre juggernaut "Fortnite", but the Reynolds say their title stands out from the pack with a focus on playing the objective -- not simply eliminating opponents.
Several high-value productions in the team shooter genre have fallen flat in recent years, with titles such as "Concord" or "Highguard" quickly taken offline after failing to win a loyal player base.
"Even though there's a ton of competition, I think we've seen even recently that a new game... can break through if it provides something different," Mac Reynolds said.
kf/tgb/js

music

Sabrina Carpenter transforms Coachella into her own 'Sabrinawood'

BY PAULA RAMON

  • "Two years ago, I wanted to put on a little song for Coachella," Carpenter said on Friday as fans belted out the words to the megahit.
  • Pop princess Sabrina Carpenter took fans on a nostalgic journey through a Hollywood-themed fantasy world dubbed "Sabrinawood" on Friday as Coachella wrapped up its first day in the California desert.
  • "Two years ago, I wanted to put on a little song for Coachella," Carpenter said on Friday as fans belted out the words to the megahit.
Pop princess Sabrina Carpenter took fans on a nostalgic journey through a Hollywood-themed fantasy world dubbed "Sabrinawood" on Friday as Coachella wrapped up its first day in the California desert.
The 26-year-old headliner packed 20 songs into a Tinseltown-inspired set complete with A-lister cameos, vintage film props and a "Sabrinawood" billboard in huge white letters evoking the Hollywood sign.
The "Manchild" singer made her Coachella debut in 2024, the year she released her catchy summer smash "Espresso." 
"Two years ago, I wanted to put on a little song for Coachella," Carpenter said on Friday as fans belted out the words to the megahit.
Her performance also included live debuts from her latest album "Man's Best Friend" as well as appearances from Susan Sarandon and Will Ferrell.
The star-studded Coachella line-up -- which also features headliners Justin Bieber and Colombia's Karol G -- will grace the stage in Indio on two consecutive weekends, kicking off the US music festival circuit for 2026.
Under Coachella's desert sun, with temperatures reaching 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) on Friday, music fans donned cowboy boots, short shorts and glitter galore for the festivities.
Two-time Grammy nominee Teddy Swims took to the festival's main stage at dusk with an enthusiastic set that included hits such as "The Door" and "Bad Dreams," before closing out with "Lose Control."
Soon after, thousands of fans packed another stage to sing, dance and cheer the much-anticipated Coachella debut of girl group KATSEYE.
Italian DJ Anyma cancelled his set due to "strong wind conditions" that affected stage build, organizers said in a statement.

Bieber Fever

The party continues across Coachella's nine stages on Saturday, with a heavy dose of yesteryear's biggest stars.
The 90s are back with industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, who will team up with German producer Boys Noize for a performance, and the aughts will be repped by New York City rockers The Strokes -- who are slated to release a new album in June after a six-year hiatus.
But peak nostalgia may hit like a bout of "Bieber fever," on the heels of the 32-year-old singer's comeback at the Grammy Awards this year, with hits such as "Sorry" and "Where Are U Now."
The night will also feature performances by techno stalwarts like Armin van Buuren and Adam Beyer, K-pop stars such as Taemin and British dance sensation PinkPantheress.
French DJ and producer David Guetta returns to the desert in Indio, and David Byrne, the legendary co-founder of Talking Heads, will make an appearance.
As a testament to the diversity of genres on display at Coachella, the festival's main stage will host influencer-turned-singer Addison Rae.
- 'Tropicoqueta' - 
Sunday's cherry on top will be reggaeton star Karol G, the first Latina to headline the festival.
The winner of eight Latin Grammy Awards made her Coachella debut in 2022 with a performance that paid tribute to Latin music icons such as Selena, Celia Cruz, and Daddy Yankee.
For this year's show, the "Provenza" singer is expected to embrace the "Caribbean showgirl" aesthetic of her latest project, "Tropicoqueta."
Sunday also promises the festival debut of K-pop kings BIGBANG, who are celebrating their 20th anniversary with a highly anticipated return to the international stage. 
Also appearing will be the godfather of punk Iggy Pop, and British DJ and producer Fatboy Slim, who dominated the electronic music scene in the 1990s. 
Other acts include Major Lazer, indie-pop band Foster the People and British singer, dancer, and visual artist FKA twigs.
The festival will close with a screening under the stars of the first episode of the third season of "Euphoria," the HBO high school drama series starring Zendaya, returning to television after four years.
Coachella is streamed live on YouTube.
pr/hol/aks

tourism

Benin leans into painful past to attract tourists

BY PIERRE DONADIEU

  • Nearby, a life-size replica of L'Aurore -- one of the last three-masted ships to leave Ouidah for Cuba around 1860 -- is set to open soon as an immersive museum of the slave trade.
  • Tourists crowded beneath the Door of No Return, an arch built by the beach at Ouidah in southern Benin in memory of those crammed onto slave ships bound for the New World.
  • Nearby, a life-size replica of L'Aurore -- one of the last three-masted ships to leave Ouidah for Cuba around 1860 -- is set to open soon as an immersive museum of the slave trade.
Tourists crowded beneath the Door of No Return, an arch built by the beach at Ouidah in southern Benin in memory of those crammed onto slave ships bound for the New World.
Benin, which holds a presidential election on Sunday, has in recent years leaned into its painful past to encourage tourism. 
Once a key departure point in the transatlantic slave trade, the coastal town of Ouidah lies at the heart of the push to reclaim the country's history, culture and heritage.
Standing nearly 17 metres (56 feet) tall on the seafront, the Door of No Return has been fully restored, now a must-see landmark for visitors.
Its ochre-and-gold facade is carved with figures of chained slaves, frozen mid-stride towards the ocean.
Nearby, a life-size replica of L'Aurore -- one of the last three-masted ships to leave Ouidah for Cuba around 1860 -- is set to open soon as an immersive museum of the slave trade.
"It reminds us of where we come from. It's important to develop tourism around our history because it's very rich, little known, and we want to showcase it," said Arsene Ahounou, an engineer from the commercial capital Cotonou visiting for the day.
"For us natives, understanding our history matters," he added.
Pausing for selfies with friends visiting from Nigeria, Onyinye Anumba said that seeing the site with her own eyes was "awesome".
"As an African, I've read many things about this place... so just being here makes me proud about what Africa has," she said.

'Demystify Vodun'

Elsewhere, tourists explored the 13th-century Python Temple to learn about Voodoo culture -- the popular animist religion rooted in Ouidah.
As many posed for photos with snakes draped around their shoulders, guides explained the reptile's spiritual significance in Voodoo (Vodun in the local Fon language) beliefs.
Having worked in Beninese tourism for more than 35 years, Modeste Zinsou, the temple's head guide, said the sector had evolved.
"This isn't mass tourism, it's cultural tourism. The sacred element remains. We're reconstructing our own history, in which we completely demystify Vodun and the cliches around it," he said.
Benin is the birthplace of Voodoo, which now has its own international festival, the Vodun Days.
The three days of dancing, mask parades and traditional ceremonies have become a major tourist attraction.
This year it drew around two million visitors, most of them Beninese.
"The government has worked to encourage domestic tourism, meaning Beninese people going out and reclaiming their identity," added Zinsou.

'Our Eiffel Tower'

To boost tourism, Benin has launched major infrastructure projects, including road and hotel renovations.
A Club Med resort is planned for 2027 and visa procedures have been eased for many nationalities.
"We're not a country with mineral wealth, so we had to identify where our wealth lies," said Alain Godonou, an adviser to the president on heritage and museums.
"History shows that Benin is a land of great cultures and traditions, and a witness to a pivotal moment in human history -- the slave trade," he said. 
Godonou hopes tourism will account for 10 to 15 percent of GDP within a decade, up from about six percent today.
Sunday's election in the west African country is to replace the architect of this tourism drive, outgoing president Patrice Talon, who is stepping down after two five-year terms. 
The frontrunner to succeed him, Romuald Wadagni, the finance minister from the ruling party, has pledged to carry the projects forward. 
Since 2024, Benin has allowed anyone with an African ancestor who was enslaved and shipped to the Americas to acquire Beninese nationality. 
"It was important for Benin to do justice to this diaspora by granting the nationality that should have been theirs," Godonou said.
In the heart of Cotonou, the country's largest city, the Amazon Monument is now a major attraction. 
The towering 30-metre metal statue depicts a warrior of the Dahomey kingdom, rifle at her side and dagger in hand. 
On Easter Monday, a public holiday, crowds of Beninese visitors strolled through the plaza, snapping pictures of the statue.
"It's a source of pride! We don't have the money to go on holiday in France or elsewhere," said vendor Geraldine Sedami Yagbo.
"This statue is our Eiffel Tower."
pid/bam/rh/kjm/gv

arch

Trump administration reveals plans for massive Washington arch

  • The structure "will be the GREATEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL Triumphal Arch, anywhere in the World," Trump wrote Friday on his social media platform on Friday.
  • US President Donald Trump's administration on Friday revealed renderings for a colossal triumphal arch proposed for construction in Washington near some of the nation's most revered monuments.
  • The structure "will be the GREATEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL Triumphal Arch, anywhere in the World," Trump wrote Friday on his social media platform on Friday.
US President Donald Trump's administration on Friday revealed renderings for a colossal triumphal arch proposed for construction in Washington near some of the nation's most revered monuments.
At 250 feet (76.2 meters) it would pip Mexico City's Monument to the Revolution by 30 feet, making it the largest structure of its kind in the world, and knocking Pyongyang's Arch of Triumph to third place.
The gold-accented arch would also tower over the 99-foot-tall Lincoln Memorial, sitting just across the Potomac River at the other end of Arlington Memorial Bridge, and be clearly visible from Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, the final resting place for many of the nation's military heroes.
The structure "will be the GREATEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL Triumphal Arch, anywhere in the World," Trump wrote Friday on his social media platform on Friday. "This will be a wonderful addition to the Washington D.C. area for all Americans to enjoy for many decades to come!"
The arch is one of several architectural projects -- including the construction of a large White House ballroom, lambasted by critics, and renovations to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts -- that Trump has undertaken to leave a mark on Washington in his second term.
Drawings and computer-generated renderings show a large, winged Lady Liberty flanked by two eagles -- all gilded -- atop a towering white arch.
Golden inscriptions read "One Nation Under God" and "Liberty and Justice for All" on opposite sides.
The arch, resembling the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, is proposed for a traffic circle on Columbia Island, which sits in the Potomac River that hugs Washington.
Trump, who was one of America's most famous real estate developers before entering the entertainment industry and later politics, has said it would be built to mark the 250th anniversary of America's founding and 1776 declaration of independence from Britain.
The plans were submitted for review to the US Commission of Fine Arts, a federal agency charged with advising the president on design matters.
Trump fired all members of the board in October and stacked it with allies as he embarks on a series of renovation and building projects across the US capital.
Last month, the same agency gave its approval to the design of a commemorative gold coin etched in Trump's likeness to be minted for the 250th anniversary.
pnb/mlm

cinema

Michael Jackson fans swarm Berlin for biopic premiere

  • Jackson, who died aged 50 in 2009 from an overdose of propofol, faced multiple allegations of child sex abuse during his lifetime.
  • Thousands of Michael Jackson fans descended on Berlin on Friday for the premiere of a new biopic about the "King of Pop", undeterred by child sex abuse allegations that continue to haunt the star.
  • Jackson, who died aged 50 in 2009 from an overdose of propofol, faced multiple allegations of child sex abuse during his lifetime.
Thousands of Michael Jackson fans descended on Berlin on Friday for the premiere of a new biopic about the "King of Pop", undeterred by child sex abuse allegations that continue to haunt the star.
"Michael", in which the singer is portrayed by his nephew Jaafar Jackson, is expected to be one of the highest-grossing films of its kind in history.
In the queue for the screening, Andy Escobar, a 31-year-old aircraft mechanic from the United States, said his nickname at school was MJ -- "because everybody knew that I was a Michael Jackson fan".
Asked about the child abuse allegations, Escobar said simply: "We know that's not true."
"He was found not guilty," added Megane Kittler, a 31-year-old educator from France who lives in Berlin.
Only around 4,000 fans will actually be able to watch the film on Friday evening, two weeks before its official release, after being allocated seats via prize draws.
For the rest, there will be Michael Jackson-themed activities throughout the weekend including panel discussions with the film crew, an exhibition dedicated to the singer and themed parties.
Jackson, who died aged 50 in 2009 from an overdose of propofol, faced multiple allegations of child sex abuse during his lifetime.

Release pushed back

Despite his 2005 acquittal in a criminal trial for child molestation, the star never managed to restore his image while alive. 
Other alleged victims filed civil lawsuits after his death and several proceedings are ongoing. The artist has never been convicted in a criminal or civil court.
"Michael" was originally intended to explore the impact of the allegations on the star, according to industry magazine Variety, citing unnamed sources "with knowledge of the production".
However, a third of the film was cut after lawyers for the Jackson estate realised there was a clause in a settlement with one of the singer's accusers that barred any mention of him in a film, the magazine said.
As a result, large parts of the film had to be rewritten and the release -- originally scheduled for April 18, 2025 -- was pushed back.
Film studio Lionsgate is banking on making $700 million in global box office receipts for the feature-length film. 
That figure would far surpass other productions in the same genre except for the Freddie Mercury-inspired "Bohemian Rhapsody", which took in $910 million.
clp-fec/gil

music

Celine Dion's Paris concerts promise to spin the money on and on

BY KATELL PRIGENT

  • "Celine Dion's presence in Paris for a month and a half should definitely benefit business on Boulevard Haussmann," he said, referring to the high-end street that is home to Galeries Lafayette's flagship store.
  • Celine Dion's fans are not the only ones excited about the megastar's new tour in Paris.
  • "Celine Dion's presence in Paris for a month and a half should definitely benefit business on Boulevard Haussmann," he said, referring to the high-end street that is home to Galeries Lafayette's flagship store.
Celine Dion's fans are not the only ones excited about the megastar's new tour in Paris. Hotels, restaurants and shops are hoping for a multimillion-euro boost from concertgoers in the French capital.
The 58-year-old Canadian singer announced last month that she was returning to the stage for 16 concerts in the French capital in September and October, after a lengthy break prompted by a rare health condition.
She could prove the latest in a series of stars to bring with them significant economic uplift from music fans, following Taylor Swift's record-breaking Eras Tour and as the South Korean mega-group BTS embarks on its tour.
The Eiffel Tower was lit up to honour the return of Dion -- who sings both in French and English -- and with the city covered in billboards and posters, Parisian businesses are hoping the tour will prove a major money spinner.
Dion's tour could bring an additional 300-500 million euros ($351-$585 million) into the city, said Alexandra Dublanche, president of Choose Paris Region, the organisation that promotes the wider Paris area.
This includes ticket sales, hotel and restaurant bookings, retail spending and more, she told AFP, adding that international visitors tend to spend more than domestic travellers.
When Swift held four concerts in Paris in 2024, the city saw an economic boost of around 150-180 million euros, Dublanche said.
Dion has said she was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, an incurable autoimmune disorder, and was forced to cancel her last tour dates due to both the Covid pandemic and ill health.
The latest tickets for Dion's shows went on sale on Friday, with an estimated half a million fans to attend the concerts, a third from overseas, according to Dublanche.
Others have put the figure higher. MKG Consulting estimated the potential economic impact at more than one billion euros, including a 180-million-euro boost for the Parisian hotel industry.
MKG analyst Vanguelis Panayotis said the economic benefits could reach 1.2 billion euros if taking into account transportation, and all the associated expenses and logistics of Dion's support team as well as fans.

'Driver of travel'

Swift's Eras tour became the highest-grossing musical tour in history, with ticket revenues estimated at more than $2.0 billion and hundreds of millions of dollars in extra economic activity in cities where she performed.
"Major musical events are a driver of travel," said Vanessa Heydorff, managing director for France at Booking.com.
The hotel reservation site said that searches for Paris around the dates of Dion's concerts increased by 49 percent.
The Adagio chain, which has 10 hotels in the city's La Defense district where the concerts will be held, saw a 400-percent increase in bookings.
"This will be good for Paris because the capital is currently experiencing a drop in hotel occupancy rates" due to the unstable international situation, said Didier Arino, chief executive at the consulting firm Protourisme.
Arthur Lemoine, CEO of the high-end Galeries Lafayette department stores, said they saw a boost in shoppers during Swift's concerts, not only during the days when she was performing in Paris but also around the timing of gigs in the city of Lyon.
"Celine Dion's presence in Paris for a month and a half should definitely benefit business on Boulevard Haussmann," he said, referring to the high-end street that is home to Galeries Lafayette's flagship store.
After South Korea's BTS announced two forthcoming concert dates in Paris, searches for hotels in the French capital soared by 590 percent, according to the Hotels.com website.
"This phenomenon is part of a broader trend called 'gig-tripping', where the concert becomes the starting point but not the sole reason for booking a trip," said Heydorff.
The challenge was to keep the visiting fans within the region in the days before and after the concert, he added.
For Panayotis, at MKG, "Events that draw fans -- whether a singer, an artist or a football team -- are becoming an extremely powerful indicator of tourism spending, something we're seeing everywhere."
"There's a real strategic advantage (for cities) in attracting events of this kind because they generate extremely strong economic benefits," he said.
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