- Pope calls for 'arms to be silenced' in Christmas appeal
- Syria authorities say torched 1 million captagon pills
- Pope calls for 'arms to be silenced' across world
- 32 survivors as Azerbaijani jet crashes in Kazakhstan
- Pakistan air strikes kill 46 in Afghanistan, Kabul says
- Liverpool host Foxes, Arsenal prepare for life without Saka
- Japan FM raises 'serious concerns' over China military buildup
- Pope's sombre message in Christmas under shadow of war
- Zelensky condemns Russian 'inhumane' Christmas attack on energy grid
- Sweeping Vietnam internet law comes into force
- Pope kicks off Christmas under shadow of war
- Catholics hold muted Christmas mass in Indonesia's Sharia stronghold
- Japan's top diplomat in China to address 'challenges'
- Thousands attend Christmas charity dinner in Buenos Aires
- Demand for Japanese content booms post 'Shogun'
- As India's Bollywood shifts, stars and snappers click
- Mystery drones won't interfere with Santa's work: US tracker
- Djokovic eyes more Slam glory as Swiatek returns under doping cloud
- Australia's in-form Head confirmed fit for Boxing Day Test
- Brazilian midfielder Oscar returns to Sao Paulo
- 'Wemby' and 'Ant-Man' to make NBA Christmas debuts
- US agency focused on foreign disinformation shuts down
- On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis launches holy Jubilee year
- 'Like a dream': AFP photographer's return to Syria
- Chiefs seek top seed in holiday test for playoff-bound NFL teams
- Panamanians protest 'public enemy' Trump's canal threat
- Cyclone death toll in Mayotte rises to 39
- Ecuador vice president says Noboa seeking her 'banishment'
- Leicester boss Van Nistelrooy aware of 'bigger picture' as Liverpool await
- Syria authorities say armed groups have agreed to disband
- Maresca expects Man City to be in title hunt as he downplays Chelsea's chancs
- Man Utd boss Amorim vows to stay on course despite Rashford row
- South Africa opt for all-pace attack against Pakistan
- Guardiola adamant Man City slump not all about Haaland
- Global stocks mostly higher in thin pre-Christmas trade
- Bethlehem marks sombre Christmas under shadow of war
- NASA probe makes closest ever pass by the Sun
- 11 killed in blast at Turkey explosives plant
- Indonesia considers parole for ex-terror chiefs: official
- Global stocks mostly rise in thin pre-Christmas trade
- Postecoglou says Spurs 'need to reinforce' in transfer window
- Le Pen says days of new French govt numbered
- Global stocks mostly rise after US tech rally
- Villa boss Emery set for 'very difficult' clash with Newcastle
- Investors swoop in to save German flying taxi startup
- How Finnish youth learn to spot disinformation
- South Korean opposition postpones decision to impeach acting president
- 12 killed in blast at Turkey explosives plant
- Panama leaders past and present reject Trump's threat of Canal takeover
- Hong Kong police issue fresh bounties for activists overseas
Lady Gaga-mania as 'Joker' sequel brings pop star to Venice
Lady Gaga is the hotly anticipated attraction on the glitzy Lido Wednesday, as the Venice Film Festival hosts the premiere of her new film, the dark and subversive "Joker: Folie a Deux".
The pop sensation's appearance in Venice could eclipse even that of George Clooney and Brad Pitt, whose red carpet hijinks in front of fans Sunday ahead of the premiere of their film "Wolfs" were a highlight of the prestigious festival.
Subverting the codes of the superhero film, 2019's "Joker" from US director Todd Phillips saw Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, a failed stand-up comic descending into mental illness.
The film -- loosely based on the DC Comics characters and set in a gritty Gotham City -- was wildly successful, grossing $1 billion at the box office but sparking criticism for its nihilistic violence.
After winning the Golden Lion at Venice, it went on to win a Best Actor Oscar for Phoenix.
But Lady Gaga is the new star addition in Phillips' sequel, bringing the US singer back to the big screen after 2021's "House of Gucci".
She plays the Joker's partner in crime and love interest, Harley Quinn, whom Fleck meets while awaiting trial for his past crimes.
"He's not sick. He's perfect," her character is heard saying in voice-over in a short teaser for the film released this week.
Phillips has said that for the sequel, he wanted to explore the idea of identity, asking the question "where does the music inside him (Fleck) come from?"
"If we were going to do it, we knew we had to swing for the fences; we wanted to create something as crazy and fearless as Joker himself," Phillips said.
On Wednesday, the "Bad Romance" singer is expected to participate in a press conference with Phoenix and other cast members, before her red carpet appearance and the film's world premiere in the evening.
"Joker: Folie a Deux" is one of 21 films vying for the top prize, the Golden Lion, at the world's oldest film festival known as "La Mostra".
This year's event has been awash in Hollywood pizzazz, with a long roster of A-listers taking a twirl on the red carpet, from Daniel Craig and Angelina Jolie to Nicole Kidman and Michael Keaton.
The festival ends on Saturday.
A.Rodriguezv--AMWN