
-
Napoleon's sword to be sold at auction in Paris
-
Iran, US discuss nuclear deal in third round of talks
-
Buenos Aires farewells native pontiff with call to action
-
Warholm sets hurdles world record at Diamond League, Holloway shocked
-
US students 'race' sperm in reproductive health stunt
-
Wikileaks founder Assange joins crowds for pope funeral
-
Leader Marc Marquez claims Spanish MotoGP sprint victory
-
Celtic win fourth successive Scottish Premiership title
-
Jackson ends drought as Chelsea boost top five push
-
Warholm sets 300m hurdles world record in Diamond League opener
-
Major blast at south Iran port kills 4, injures hundreds
-
Russia says retook Kursk from Ukraine with North Korean help
-
Francis laid to rest as 400,000 mourn pope 'with an open heart'
-
Trump, Zelensky meet on sidelines of pope's funeral
-
'Shared loss': Filipino Catholics bid Pope Francis farewell
-
Families unable to reunite as India-Pakistan border slams shut
-
Major blast at south Iran port injures hundreds
-
Foreign carmakers strive for 'China Speed' to stay in race
-
Pakistan says open to neutral probe into Kashmir attack after India threats
-
Hundreds of thousands at funeral mourn pope 'with an open heart'
-
Quartararo sets Spanish MotoGP record to claim pole
-
Hamas says open to 5-year Gaza truce, one-time hostages release
-
Iran, US hold new round of high-stakes nuclear talks
-
Up at dawn for front-row seat to history at Francis's funeral
-
Pakistan ready to 'defend sovereignty' after India threats
-
Huge crowds flock to Vatican for Pope Francis's funeral
-
Xi says China must 'overcome' AI chip challenges
-
Indian army says new exchange of gunfire with Pakistan
-
Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre takes own life in Australia: family
-
Hundreds of buildings damaged, dozens injured in 6.3 Ecuador quake
-
India and Pakistan's Kashmir fallout hits economy too
-
Francis's funeral to be grand farewell to 'pope of the poor'
-
Pogacar faces defiant Evenepoel at Liege-Bastogne-Liege
-
Chelsea eye great escape against Barcelona in Women's Champions League
-
Iran, US to hold new round of high-level nuclear talks
-
'Energy and effort' pay off for Reds as Blues' woes continue
-
Albatross and closing birdie lift China's Liu to LPGA Chevron lead
-
On the horizon? Wave of momentum for high seas treaty
-
Developing countries should fast-track US trade deals: World Bank president
-
Grizzlies' Morant 'doubtful' for must-win game 4 v Thunder
-
Trump in Rome for pope funeral in first foreign trip of new term
-
Trump says Russia-Ukraine deal 'very close' after new Kremlin talks
-
US rookies lead PGA pairs event with McIlroy and Lowry in hunt
-
Trump tariff promises get a reality check
-
Warriors coach Kerr 'relatively optimistic' injured Butler will play game 3
-
Postecoglou hopes 'Stonecutter's Credo' can inspire Spurs
-
PSG lose unbeaten Ligue 1 record ahead of Arsenal showdown
-
Venezuela accuses El Salvador president of 'human trafficking'
-
Own goal takes Sundowns to African final against Pyramids
-
Scores of buildings damaged, 20 injured in Ecuador quake

Rio kicks off Carnival parades with Oscars glory on minds
Rio de Janeiro held the first day of its famous Carnival samba parades Sunday -- with many attendees also eying activities all the way in Hollywood, where Brazil could take home its first Oscar.
While the samba schools prepare to put their talents on display, the possibility of Brazil claiming victory at the Academy Awards with "I'm Still Here" generated an additional air of celebration among the Carnival festivities.
The film, directed by Walter Salles, tells the story of former congressman Ruben Paiva's disappearance in 1971, and the actions by his widow Eunice during the country's military dictatorship, which lasted from 1964-1985.
"I'm Still Here" earned nominations for best picture, best foreign film and best lead actress for Fernanda Torres, who already won a Golden Globe award for her performance.
Oscars buzz can be found all over the streets of Rio, as billboards and posters touting support for Torres display alongside revelers dressed up as her in the Carnival parades, with some dedicated entirely to the actress.
"There is no better day than a Carnival Sunday to win the Oscar," Rebecca Maria Darakjian Batoni, a 25-year-old celebrant in the northeast city of Olinda, told AFP.
Among the crowds at Carnival, many attendees wielded plastic golden statuettes sold by street vendors.
"Fernanda is an example, an idol for all of Brazil, and today we're all going to stop to see her win the Oscar!" said Cristina Leite de Moraes, a 25-year-old doctor.
Torres, 59, has said she felt "very proud" that the streets were filled with her image.
At Rio's massive Sambadrome, the top twelve samba schools will compete from Sunday until Tuesday, in a new three-day format instead of the traditional two.
The change will give each group a little more time, up to 80 minutes, for its thousands of dancers and musicians to walk the mythical catwalk in front of some 70,000 attendees and millions of television viewers around the world.
Authorities said that excitement over the Oscars win could help amplify the economic activity generated by Carnival festivities, with estimates for the festival approaching the $1 billion dollar mark.
B.Shevchenko--BTB