LOS ANGELES, May 4 (Reuters) – “Thunderbolts,” the latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, launched the summer movie season with a global box office haul of $162 million over the weekend, kicking off an important stretch for Hollywood’s annual earnings. The superhero ensemble film, centered around a group of unlikely allies banding together to face off against a formidable villain, earned $76 million in domestic markets—namely the United States and Canada—according to distributor Walt

Each spring, for just a brief two-week stretch, a rare variety of violet artichoke is hand-harvested on the northern islands of Venice — and locals go to great lengths to preserve its authenticity. As sunlight dances across the shimmering waters, Venetian farmer Guia da Camerino guides her small boat around the briccole — wooden posts that subtly demarcate the lagoon’s watery paths. Just beyond the bustling maze of Venice’s city centre, the tranquil islands of Sant’Erasmo and Le Vignole offer

Brittney Griner and Stylist Courtney Mays Bring Athletic Style to the Met Gala HOUSTON (AP) — When Brittney Griner made history by becoming the first WNBA player to attend the Met Gala in 2023—just months following her release from a Russian prison in a high-profile exchange—she exuded modern sophistication in a custom Calvin Klein ensemble. Her standout look was crafted by celebrity stylist Courtney Mays, who’s spent over ten years curating wardrobes for elite athletes. Dressing any star for

One of the world’s rarest amphibians — the ancient, aquatic axolotl — has shown signs of adapting successfully to a new setting after scientists introduced it into man-made wetlands in Mexico. Offering a ray of optimism for the endangered species known as Ambystoma mexicanum, a group of researchers recently placed 18 axolotls bred in captivity into two specially constructed wetland habitats near Mexico City, an initiative aimed at reversing the trend of population decline caused by pollution

The U.S. administration has expressed disappointment over the way President Donald Trump's special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is conducting talks with Russia, according to a report by the New York Post. Witkoff, who represents Trump’s interests in the Middle East, is also involved in direct communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to insider sources cited by the newspaper, Witkoff has been attending high-level discussions alone and has, on occasion,

• The United Nations plans to reduce its humanitarian support in Ukraine following a significant decline in funding, according to Joyce Msuya of the UN’s humanitarian co-ordination office. Speaking at a UN Security Council session on Tuesday, Msuya explained that while the UN had sought $2.63 billion in January to assist six million Ukrainians in need, they have revised their target to help 4.8 million people with $1.75 billion. This adjustment follows what she called a "steep

Aldrich Ames Spy Case Retold For nearly ten years, Aldrich Ames handed over classified information to the Soviet Union, sabotaging over 100 covert operations and directly resulting in the execution of at least 10 allied operatives. On April 28, 1994, his betrayal led to a life sentence in prison. Two months earlier, the BBC interviewed one of the spies he exposed—who, against all odds, survived. The year was 1985 when Soviet assets secretly working for the CIA began vanishing. One after

Stretching from Inverness all the way to Britain’s northernmost rail junction, the Far North Line glides through grazing pastures, rustic communities, and the planet’s only Unesco-recognised blanket peatland. As the train slowly eases out of Inverness Station and ventures into the Scottish Highlands, a wave of excitement courses through me. I once spent four summers working in these wild parts, and the deep ties to this dramatic terrain still stir my heart. At last, I'm back—reuniting my

Landmine Treaty Under Threat Ten years ago in Mozambique, representatives from numerous nations gathered with a shared mission: to eliminate one of warfare’s most devastating remnants. Buoyed by a breakthrough agreement prohibiting landmine use, production, and hoarding, they boldly set a target to finish the job by 2025. Now, with that deadline upon us, the landscape has shifted dramatically. Five European NATO countries bordering Russia have declared plans to exit the treaty. They justify

A solemn farewell is unfolding in Vatican City as thousands have gathered to honor Pope Francis, remembered for his devotion to the marginalized and his transformative vision for the Catholic Church. Silence filled the moment before the ceremony began. Applause echoed across St. Peter's Square as the pope’s casket emerged from the great basilica in a dignified procession just after 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET). The funeral Mass is being conducted on the basilica’s grand steps, a sacred

Moscow has launched a fresh wave of deadly attacks on Ukraine, defying a public call from US President Donald Trump urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to “STOP!” the aggression. At least eight people lost their lives during overnight drone assaults across multiple regions in Ukraine, coming just one day after Russia carried out its most lethal strike operation since last summer. One such drone strike hit the eastern city of Pavlohrad on Friday, killing three individuals, including a

Who might take up the mantle as the next leader of the Catholic Church? The answer carries deep significance for over 1.4 billion baptised Catholics worldwide. The selection process is unpredictable and open-ended, shaped by a mixture of traditions, shifting church demographics, and modern challenges. Cardinals from around the globe will gather in the Sistine Chapel for the secretive conclave, repeatedly voting until a consensus emerges around a single candidate. With 80% of those voting having

Even before I step inside, an unsettling feeling creeps over me. Searching for the entrance to Nikolaj Kunsthal—a gothic former church in Copenhagen—I’m struck by the dramatic strains of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde. The music, famously used in Lars von Trier’s apocalyptic 2011 film Melancholia, sets a haunting scene. Inside, I sit within a draped structure reminiscent of the film’s tent, watching a planet barrel toward Earth to the sound of Wagner’s crescendo. Nearby, a long banquet table lies

At least 56 people have lost their lives following two coordinated assaults allegedly carried out by suspected nomadic herders in central Nigeria's Benue State earlier this week. The governor's office issued a sharp update to its initial report of 17 fatalities on Saturday. According to a government spokesperson, the death toll may increase as emergency crews continue their search and recovery operations. Police representative Anene Sewuese Catherine stated on Friday that “a large

With the world of museums marking 250 years since the birth of JMW Turner, it's the perfect moment to reconsider one of his most treasured masterpieces: The Fighting Temeraire. Unveiled in 1839, The Fighting Temeraire quickly captured the British public's imagination and remains an iconic piece even today. It was once crowned the nation's favourite painting and is currently featured on the £20 note. Yet, the commonly held reading of the artwork’s symbolism may diverge

Islamabad, Pakistan – Inside the vast expanse of Islamabad’s Jinnah Convention Centre, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised overseas Pakistanis, calling them the “nation’s pride” and applauding their “remarkable contributions” to their homeland despite living abroad. But Sharif didn’t stop at mere praise. Addressing over a thousand expatriates during the Overseas Pakistanis Convention on April 15, he unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at supporting the diaspora in practical ways.

SINGAPORE, April 16 (Reuters) - Nvidia (NVDA.O), opens new tab did not alert some of its top customers ahead of tighter U.S. export regulations affecting its AI chip tailored for China, according to two individuals familiar with the situation. The chipmaking giant revealed on Tuesday that it had been notified by U.S. authorities on April 9 that its H20 chip would now need a government-issued license to be shipped to China. This latest restriction is part of Washington’s ongoing attempts to curb

Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly open to a “lasting peace” agreement with Ukraine, according to United States special envoy Steve Witkoff. Witkoff, who represents President Donald Trump, shared the remarks during a TV interview on Monday evening, following what he described as “significant” discussions with Putin in Saint Petersburg the previous week. While optimism was expressed, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov cautioned that negotiating the details of any deal remains