- Bangladesh launches $5bn graft probe into Hasina's family
- US probes China chip industry on 'anticompetitive' concerns
- Biden commutes sentences for 37 of 40 federal death row inmates
- Clock ticks down on France government nomination
- 'Devastated' Australian tennis star Purcell provisionally suspended for doping
- Mozambique on edge as judges rule on disputed election
- Mobile cinema brings Tunisians big screen experience
- Philippines says to acquire US Typhon missile system
- Honda and Nissan to launch merger talks
- Police arrest suspect who set woman on fire in New York subway
- China vows 'cooperation' over ship linked to severed Baltic Sea cables
- Australian tennis star Purcell provisionally suspended for doping
- Asian markets track Wall St rally as US inflation eases rate fears
- Luxury Western goods line Russian stores, three years into sanctions
- Wallace and Gromit return with comic warning about AI dystopia
- Philippine military says will acquire US Typhon missile system
- Afghan bread, the humble centrepiece of every meal
- Honda and Nissan expected to begin merger talks
- 'Draconian' Vietnam internet law heightens free speech fears
- Israeli women mobilise against ultra-Orthodox military exemptions
- Asian markets track Wall St rally as US inflation eases rate worries
- Tens of thousands protest in Serbian capital over fatal train station accident
- Trump vows to 'stop transgender lunacy' as a top priority
- Daniels throws five TDs as Commanders down Eagles, Lions and Vikings win
- 'Who's next?': Misinformation and online threats after US CEO slaying
- Only 12 trucks delivered food, water in North Gaza Governorate since October: Oxfam
- InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Announces Transaction in Own Shares - December 23
- Melrose Group Publicly Files Complaint to the Ontario Securities Commission
- Langers edge Tiger and son Charlie in PNC Championship playoff
- Explosive batsman Jacobs gets New Zealand call-up for Sri Lanka series
- Holders PSG edge through on penalties in French Cup
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin to talk gas deliveries
- Daniels throw five TDs as Commanders down Eagles
- Atalanta fight back to take top spot in Serie A, Roma hit five
- Mancini admits regrets over leaving Italy for Saudi Arabia
- Run machine Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin
- Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 35
- 'Incredible' Liverpool must stay focused: Slot
- Maresca 'absolutely happy' as title-chasing Chelsea drop points in Everton draw
- Salah happy wherever career ends after inspiring Liverpool rout
- Three and easy as Dortmund move into Bundesliga top six
- Liverpool hit Spurs for six, Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth
- Netanyahu vows to act with 'force, determination' against Yemen's Huthis
- Mbappe back from 'bottom' as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- Ali hat-trick helps champions Ahly crush Belouizdad
- France kept on tenterhooks over new government
- Salah stars as rampant Liverpool hit Spurs for six
- Syria's new leader says all weapons to come under 'state control'
- 'Sonic 3' zips to top of N.America box office
Palm Dog celebrates Ukraine landmine-sniffer at Cannes
It's the only award that mutt-ers in Cannes, and in a year when war was a constant backdrop to the festival, even the canine-loving Palm Dog award paid tribute to Ukrainians.
The Palm Dog, which rewards the best pooch performances at the Cannes Film Festival, celebrated its 21st year on Friday in typically dog-eared style.
"This is the foremost and paw-most celebration of dogs on the big screen," said presenter Toby Rose, who helped found the award back in 2001.
The top award -- which comes in the form of a red leather collar -- went to Brit, a fluffy silver poodle who starred as Beast in "War Pony", the directorial debut of Riley Keough and Gina Gammell.
Keough, who happens to be Elvis Presley's granddaughter, accepted the award via video link-up and said she was "honoured", describing Brit as "just a legend".
The Guardian's chief film critic Peter Bradshaw, another co-founder of the four-legged tradition, said it was "incredible" that the award show had turned 21.
"It's grown from a chihuahua to a Rhodesian Ridgeback," he told the crowd.
"I look out at a sea of professional journalists all wondering: what is this strange Anglo-Saxon piece of whimsy?" Bradshaw added.
"Is it serious? Is it silly? The answer is I don't know. My bewilderment has only deepened over the years."
- 'Defenders of Ukraine' -
This year saw a special Dog-manitarian Award handed out to Patron, the Jack Russell that has helped sniff out landmines in Ukraine.
Patron has already been honoured for its work by President Volodymyr Zelensky, and the Palm Dog organisers said they wanted to add their support to the cause.
A member of the Ukraine delegation to Cannes, which has been very active at the festival this year, accepted the collar on Patron's behalf.
"Patron could not be here because his work is very needed back home," she said. "But this is dedicated to all defenders of Ukraine and defenders of a peaceful world."
The Palm Dog has been something of a highlight at the festival over the years.
Quentin Tarantino proudly showed up to receive the red collar on behalf of Brandy after "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" premiered at Cannes in 2019.
Tilda Swinton picked up the top prize last year for her real-life dogs in "The Souvenir" and managed to contact them via WhatsApp during the ceremony.
F.Dubois--AMWN