Showing 1 - 10 of 40
‘Dancing in their hands’: Japan’s kabuki wig masters
AFP, Published on 23/04/2026
» TOKYO - Every actor in kabuki — a traditional Japanese performing art celebrated for its striking makeup and elaborate costumes — relies on one final, essential element to fully inhabit their role: the wig.
Geisha spectacle in Japan's Kyoto celebrates arrival of spring
AFP, Published on 03/04/2026
» KYOTO (JAPAN) - Against a backdrop of blooming cherry blossoms, a group of geishas elegantly shuffle onto a stage in Japan's Kyoto city to begin a centuries-old performance celebrating the arrival of spring.
Dutch anti-blackface group declares victory
AFP, Published on 05/12/2025
» AMSTERDAM - A cherished Christmas tradition for some, profoundly insulting for others, the Dutch character “Black Pete”, a servant who helps Santa Claus distribute presents, has divided opinion in The Netherlands for decades.
In mega-city Lagos, 20 million count on just 100 ambulances
AFP, Published on 16/09/2025
» LAGOS — Standing outside a public hospital in Lagos, Nigeria's biggest city, Michelin Hunsa is still "traumatised" from the two-hour wait it took to get an ambulance for her mother, found unconscious by her neighbours.
'Female power': Japan erotic art destigmatised in new exhibit
AFP, Published on 29/08/2025
» TOKYO — Graphic depictions of enormous phalluses and acrobatic sex positions have long rendered centuries-old Japanese "shunga" art taboo, but a rare exhibition aims to prove the genre is a world apart from male-centred porn.
Rio goes Gaga for US singer ahead of free concert
AFP, Published on 02/05/2025
» RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Behind his large studded sunglasses, Victor Faro's eyes were glued on the luxury hotel overlooking Copacabana beach where US superstar Lady Gaga is staying ahead of her free mega-concert in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday.
Nigeria court rejects opposition bid to overturn February election
AFP, Published on 07/09/2023
» ABUJA - A Nigerian court on Wednesday dismissed a major opposition petition to overturn President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's February election victory after a highly contested ballot.
Oil firms pay Insta, TikTok influencers for ads
AFP, Published on 30/08/2023
» PARIS - Oil companies are paying popular influencers to pump their gas on social media, sparking a backlash from some climate-conscious fans for promoting planet-warming fossil fuels among young people.
Renewed interest in Japanese sumo proves big pull for tourists
AFP, Published on 13/08/2023
» TOKYO: Their interest piqued during Covid lockdowns and by a new Netflix drama, a fresh rush of foreign tourists are flocking to Japan for a look inside the insular world of sumo.
Kenyan taxman goes after fake nails, fuel and influencers
AFP, Published on 19/05/2023
» NAIROBI: What do artificial nails, crypto currencies, spaghetti and social media influencers have in common?