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PARIS (AP) — For powerful men in France’s film industry, this was a week of reckoning. Gérard Depardieu — the country’s most famous male actor — was convicted of sexual assault. Two days later, the Cannes Film Festival barred another actor accused of rape from walking the red carpet.Together, the decisions sent a message that France had long resisted: that artistic brilliance may no longer shield those who abuse their power.For decades, Depardieu was revered as French cinema’s “sacred monster” — a towering talent whose gluttony, volatility and magnetism became part of his myth. With more than 250 films to…

Downtown Beijing on May 2, 2025.Greg Baker | Afp | Getty ImagesBEIJING — Alibaba, Tencent and JD.com reported earnings this week that not only reflected improving Chinese consumer spending, but also the growing benefits of artificial intelligence in advertising.E-commerce giant Alibaba said late Thursday its Taobao and Tmall group sales rose by 9% year on year to 101.37 billion yuan ($13.97 billion) for the three months ended March 31. That’s above the 97.94 billion yuan predicted by a FactSet analyst poll, and the quarterly growth figure was well above the 3% segment increase for the 12-month period ending March 31.”The…

CNN  —  “Excuse me, where are you from? I bet I can guess your language.” When Yuji Beleza strolls through the streets of Vienna, he doesn’t just see crowds. He sees a challenge — and an opportunity to connect. In spontaneous street interviews, the Japanese-Irish polyglot surprises passersby with greetings in their native language — whether it’s Turkish, Swahili, Kurdish, Kazakh or Zulu. With his wide smile and quick-fire linguistic reflexes, Beleza has become a social media sensation, amassing over 2.7 million followers on Instagram, 3.6 million on TikTok and another 388,000 on YouTube. “If you speak at least a…

New York CNN  —  UnitedHealth Group, one of America’s biggest corporations and a member of the exclusive Dow Jones Industrial Average, is suddenly unraveling. The crisis engulfing UnitedHealth hit a crescendo this week when CEO Andrew Witty stepped down abruptly for “personal reasons.” UnitedHealth also swiftly abandoned its financial guidance, blaming skyrocketing medical costs. And then The Wall Street Journal dropped the hammer, revealing that UnitedHealth is under federal criminal investigation for possible Medicare fraud. The developments have stunned investors, triggering a dramatic loss of confidence. UnitedHealth’s (UNH) stock has lost half its value – a staggering $288 billion –…

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has praised the hiring of Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti for the Brazilian national team, saying that his country “needed” a prominent manager like the five-team Champions League winner.Casemiro won two Champions League titles and a LaLiga crown during his three seasons playing under Ancelotti in Madrid.Editor’s Picks2 Related”After Tite left, I think it had to be him,” the 33-year-old told ESPN Brasil. “Brazil needed professionals like him, Brazil needed a big name like him, someone who commands respect.”The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced on Monday that Ancelotti would finish his time with Madrid at the end…

An “embarrassed” Ruben Amorim has claimed there is “something wrong” with the way his Manchester United side play football ahead of their meeting with Chelsea, live on Friday Night Football.United suffered their 13th league defeat since Amorim was appointed in November against West Ham on Sunday, a 2-0 loss at Old Trafford, to keep them just two places above the relegation zone. . Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Ruben Amorim tells Sky Sports he doesn’t think he’s too honest after he was They have now gone seven games without a win in the Premier League,…

CNN  —  A painting by South African artist Marlene Dumas has sold for $13.6 million at auction, setting a new record for a living female artist. “Miss January” is Dumas’ “magnum opus” and stands 9.25 feet (2.82 meters) tall, according to a statement from auction house Christie’s on Wednesday. “We were thrilled with the outcome of our sale this evening,” Isabella Lauria, head of the 21st century evening sale, said in the statement, calling the price “incredible.” The painting had been expected to fetch between $12 million and $18 million, according to a separate statement from Christie’s published earlier this…

New York CNN  —  As the US and China came to an agreement to lower tariffs sharply this week, trade war uncertainty has, for now, subsided. But Wall Street has a new question for President Donald Trump: What about tax cuts? Lawmakers this week are debating Trump’s tax agenda, which includes extending the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and adding potential tax cuts on tips, overtime pay and Social Security. That “big, beautiful bill” could have, well, big implications for the economy — and for stocks and bonds. A lower tax burden could could mean more money for consumers,…

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (L) receives US President Donald Trump in the Qatari capital Doha on May 14, 2025. Brendan Smialowski | Afp | Getty ImagesABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — If the Arab Gulf states were to hold a popularity contest right now, President Donald Trump would be the prom king.The 45th and 47th president of the United States was greeted with spectacular fanfare in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates during his 4-day visit to the region.In Riyadh, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman broke royal protocol by personally greeting the president on…

Chelsea’s new 2025-26 home kit from Nike features graphics inspired by landmarks around the west London club’s home. Chelsea FCChelsea have unveiled their new home kit for the 2025-26 season, which has been designed as a loving ode to London, the city that the club have called home since their formation in 1905.Having experimented with several high-concept kits in recent years, the Blues have played their latest home jersey with a relatively straight bat and created a straightforward, all-blue number that features a graphic inspired by local landmarks.Editor’s Picks2 RelatedIndeed, the angular graphic visible in the fabric of their new home…