ENTERTAINMENT

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | AFP | The Rio carnival is a celebration of joyful excess but deep recession in Brazil means that samba schools are thinking about their budgets as much as their dance moves. “Here the key word is austerity,” says Luiz Carlos Magalhaes, president of the Portela …

Liancheng, China | AFP | Dragons several hundred metres long snake their way down pastoral roads and through country hamlets, part of centuries-old Chinese folk celebrations for a mythical creature revered as a blessing. The visually striking festival is among a range of colourful traditional observances unique to eastern Fujian …

Islamabad, Pakistan | AFP |  A Pakistani court Monday banned public celebrations of Valentine’s Day in the capital Islamabad, the latest attempt by authorities to outlaw a holiday seen by many in the traditional Muslim society as vulgar and Western. The Islamabad high court issued the order after a petitioner …

Los Angeles, United States | AFP |  Adele on Sunday triumphed once again at the Grammys with five awards for her latest blockbuster album of ballads, but she paid glowing tribute to her rival Beyonce, calling her an idol. The English balladeer swept up the top prizes of the night …

Los Angeles, United States | AFP | The music world gathers Sunday for the Grammys with the top awards a choice between a new, edgier Beyonce and the time-tested heartache ballads of Adele. The televised bash from Los Angeles, which kicks off at 5 pm (0100 GMT Monday), could also …

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, money transfer service WorldRemit has released statistics showing Ugandans living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are the most romantic, sending on average $116 (sh415,000) more than usual to their loved ones . According to new WorldRemit data revealing the most romantic Ugandans living abroad, …

Blantyre, Malawi | AFP | US superstar Madonna adopted twin girls in Malawi on Tuesday, a court official told AFP, raising to four the total number of children she has adopted from the southern African nation. Just two weeks ago, she denied being involved in a fresh adoption application in …

Brussels-based hotel chain, Rezidor Hotel Group has taken over management of the Aya Brothers-owned Pearl of Africa Hotel Kampala. The Group that manages hundreds of luxury hotels around the world under the Quorvus Collection brand, now joins other internationally and regionally operated brands in the city such as City Blue, …

New York, United States | AFP | Beyonce is pregnant — and this time, she’s expecting twins with her husband, rap mogul Jay Z. The pop superstar — who already has a five-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy, with Jay Z — announced the news to her more than 92 million followers …

Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | They may be out of the tournament, but the Democratic Republic of Congo’s footballers will be forever remembered by Africa Cup of Nations fans for their dance moves on the pitch. DR Congo players danced the “Fimbu” seven times at the CAN 2017 tournament …