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PARIS (Reuters) -Reclusive former French movie star Brigitte Bardot, 91, has been hospitalized for the past three weeks in Toulon, near her home in Saint-Tropez, local newspaper Var-Matin reported on its website on Thursday. She underwent surgery related to a "serious illness", the newspaper said, citing unidentified sources. Her condition is "worrying", it added. Bardot became world famous in the fifties and sixties for her free-spirited performances and sexual magnetism in a series of movies. As a singer, she also released several records during that time.  She stopped acting in the seventies, permanently moved to the French Riviera town of Saint-Tropez, and dedicated herself to the animal welfare cause through a foundation in her name. The Brigitte Bardot Foundation did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Reporting by Inti Landauro and Alessandro Parodi; Editing by GV De Clercq and Toby Chopra)

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By Alan Baldwin AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) -Apple's five-year deal for Formula One's U.S. broadcast rights, announced on Friday, gives both brands a major opportunity for growth in new directions and could ultimately lead to something bigger. The agreement, with Apple replacing Walt Disney's ESPN from 2026, will see Apple TV host all live action from grand prix weekends and has the potential to bring more people to Formula One through mobiles and apps. Select races, and all practice sessions, will be freely available in the Apple TV app. Apple TV subscribers can also access Liberty Media-owned Formula One's premium content without extra cost. No details were given of how much Apple paid to add F1 to Major League Baseball and soccer in their existing sports offering. "Thanks to Apple we are going to be ready to get into more houses and more in the culture of the American fans," Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali told reporters in a video briefing. "This is something that will represent a big step change in our approach in the media landscape. But we know the power of Apple … we know the technology that they have." DEAL BUILDS ON F1 MOVIE'S BIG BOX OFFICE SUCCESS Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice-president of services and a Ferrari board member, said he hoped the deal became "what we're doing forever". "I think there's a huge opportunity for both of us," he added. "There's more opportunities to go. But we're focused on this, make this a success and then it'll be easier to keep growing and doing more." Liberty Media recently acquired MotoGP owners Dorna Sports while Liberty Global controls the all-electric Formula E championship. There could also be further opportunities worldwide as other rights deals expire. "We're going to bring everything that Apple has to offer from our retail stores to all of our apps, including our sports app, podcasting, music, obviously Apple TV, books, all the capabilities," said Cue. "Our websites, all the touch points, Apple News. "We have so many touch points with our customers and we're going to bring the brunt of that, like we did with the movie, to the races and to qualifying." Apple's "F1 The Movie", starring Brad Pitt, was a runaway success this year and has grossed more than $628 million worldwide, according to IMDb's Box Office Mojo. Some 47% of new U.S. Formula One fans, those who have followed the sport for five years or less, are aged 18-24 and more than half are female, according to a 2025 Global F1 Fan Survey. "Though Formula One has grown tremendously, it still has a huge opportunity to grow so much more," said Cue. "And it's not just racing, it's culture here. These are incredible athletes, whether it's fashion, music, all of the things that we will partner with them on gives us huge opportunities to expand." The United States now has three grands prix and the Netflix docu-series 'Drive to Survive' has turbocharged engagement in a country that the sport had failed to crack in previous decades. Cue said Apple would also be broadcasting all races in Spanish. Ian Holmes, Formula One's director of media rights, said the deal gave the sport access to the broadest possible audience and employ the innovative Apple camera technology used in the movie. "It's very much a relationship across technology as it is content," he said. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Peter Rutherford)

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By Svea Herbst-Bayliss NEW YORK (Reuters) -Six Flags Entertainment is adding an executive from activist hedge fund Sachem Head Capital Management to its board at a time the theme park operator is facing pressure from several investors to perform better. The company said on Friday that it appointed Sachem Head partner Jonathan Brudnick to the board, expanding the board size by one to 13. At the end of the year, when two directors retire, the board will have 11 members. He will also join the nominating and corporate governance committee. Six Flags, which has a market capitalization of roughly $2.1 billion, saw its shares lose half of their value this year when rainy weather at the start of the summer kept visitors away from its parks. The stock price closed at $21.26 on Thursday and has lost 55.5% since January. Sachem Head owns nearly 10% of the company and began establishing its position in the second quarter. The sagging share price has also attracted other investors who have been pushing the company to make changes to lift its stock price. Last month activist investor Land & Buildings, which owns a 2% stake in the company, again urged the company to spin out its real estate into a real estate investment trust that its fund manager, Jonathan Litt, thinks could trade at higher multiples. The hedge fund first floated the idea of selling off the real estate in late 2022. Six Flags Entertainment was created last year when Six Flags merged with Cedar Fair.   For Sachem Head this is the second board seat the firm has scored in the last four weeks after Performance Food Group invited Sachem Head founder Scott Ferguson onto its board shortly after the firm had said it wanted four seats, including one for Ferguson. (Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama )

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

PARIS (Reuters) -Reclusive former French movie star Brigitte Bardot, 91, has been hospitalized for the past three weeks in Toulon, near her home in Saint-Tropez, local newspaper Var-Matin reported on its website on Thursday. She underwent surgery related to a "serious illness", the newspaper said, citing unidentified sources. Her condition is "worrying", it added. Bardot became world famous in the fifties and sixties for her free-spirited performances and sexual magnetism in a series of movies. As a singer, she also released several records during that time.  She stopped acting in the seventies, permanently moved to the French Riviera town of Saint-Tropez, and dedicated herself to the animal welfare cause through a foundation in her name. The Brigitte Bardot Foundation did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Reporting by Inti Landauro and Alessandro Parodi; Editing by GV De Clercq and Toby Chopra)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Hanna Rantala LONDON (Reuters) -Actor Brendan Fraser immersed himself in Japanese culture and language for his role in the comedy drama "Rental Family". Directed and co-written by filmmaker Hikari, the movie sees Fraser play Phillip, an American actor who travelled to Tokyo to star in a toothpaste commercial and ended up staying. Seven years on, work opportunities are scarce and Phillip's life lacks purpose. But things take a turn when he gets booked by a professional stand-in service using actors to portray family members, friends and companions. Initially hesitant, Phillip soon finds himself connecting with his clients and getting deeply involved in their lives. Attending the movie's London Film Festival premiere on Thursday, Fraser said he was carefully considering his options after finishing the awards season run that culminated in his best actor Oscar win for "The Whale" in 2023. Nothing piqued his interest until he came across what he described as an obscure, unusual title. "This film was going to be shot in Japan. This is a Japanese movie made with Japanese actors, Japanese crew, Japanese artisans, a first for me. I've always tried to find something that's diverse or different or interesting from whatever I've done before. It just ticked all the boxes," he said. Fraser, 56, found a tutor to help him with the language and travelled to Tokyo weeks before the shoot to acclimatise. "We all have to communicate somehow, right? What it all really comes down to is we all want the same things," he said. "And on top of that, Japanese people are unfailingly polite. If ever I was lost on the street, someone would take you by the hand and walk you to your destination. That sort of noblesse and gentility is everything that I crave and found while I was there," he said. Hikari said she wanted to flip her own experiences of living in the United States as a foreigner and tell the story of an American adapting to life in Japan, encountering isolation but also creating meaningful connections. "The world is a bit in a funky place that feels like technology's advanced and it's incredible, but at the same time, there's isolation between people. I feel like making a movie about people's connection was much needed," she said. "Rental Family" is released in the U.S. on November 21 and begins its global cinematic rollout in early January 2026. (Reporting by Hanna Rantala; Editing by Stephen Coates)

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By Milan Berckmans BRUSSELS (Reuters) -A 300-year-old Stradivari violin valued at around $16 million will take centre stage on Friday at a concert in Brussels performed by Armenian Sergey Khachatryan with the Belgian National Opera. The violin, renowned for its extraordinary tonal range and historical importance, was made around 1724 by Italian craftsman Antonio Stradivari in his hometown Cremona, and was recently bought by a benefactor of the philanthropic Stretton Society, which loans out exceptional instruments. "It is a huge joy to be able to create that relationship between me as an artist and the instrument … such an incredible instrument with such a beautiful sound and complexity," said Khachatryan, who is entrusted with the Stradivarius for the next 10 years. At the Brussels Palais des Beaux-Arts on Friday, he will interpret the technically demanding Brahms Violin Concerto. "Brahms' music is such a reflection of beauty, in nature and also in human feelings," Khachatryan told Reuters. "If you have such an incredible violin, you can show that." The instrument is among the highest valued of several hundred remaining Stradivari violins, which can sell for millions of dollars, with the most sought after coming from Stradivari's 1700-1720 "Golden Period". Known as the "Kiesewetter" – after 19th-century German violinist Christoph Gottfried Kiesewetter – it has been played by leading violinists, including Augustin Hadelich and Maxim Vengerov, who used it at the Grammy Award ceremony in 1996. "There's actually a very beautiful photo with Maxim Vengerov, Sting and Elton John next to the instrument," said Stephan Jansen, co-founder of the Stretton Society. (Reporting by Yves Herman, Milan Berckmans and Tierney Kugel; Writing by Alessandro Parodi; editing by GV De Clercq and Ed Osmond)

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By Daniel Trotta (Reuters) -Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist of the rock group Kiss, whose hard-driving sound, stage theatrics and iconic makeup created one of the most popular and groundbreaking bands of all time, died on Thursday at age 74, his family said. A representative for Frehley, Lori Lousararian, attributed his death to a recent fall at his home, Rolling Stone magazine said. "We are completely devastated and heartbroken," Frehley’s family said in a statement, adding that their loving, caring words and prayers surrounded him in his last moments. "The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever!" Kiss burst onto the scene in the 1970s with a sound and look widely recognized as hard rock and glam rock, given its black-and-white face paint, elaborate black and silver leather costumes and on-stage pyrotechnics. It was also considered a forerunner to heavy metal. Hits from 1975, such as the party anthem "Rock and Roll All Nite" and the concert album "Alive!" have become rock classics. All 26 of their albums went gold, selling at least 500,000 in the United States, the most by any American band, and 14 went platinum, selling 1 million or more, though some of those records came after Frehley left the band.   Frehley, lead singer and bassist Gene Simmons, guitarist Paul Stanley and drummer Peter Criss each had his own look and alter ego. With a star painted on his face, Frehley was also known as "Spaceman." He stayed with Kiss through its heyday in the 1970s and joined the band's reunion in the 1990s. As a solo artist, he recorded the 1978 hit "New York Groove." Paul Daniel Frehley was born in the Bronx section of New York City on April 27, 1951. Playing guitar as a teenager, he found his calling after seeing The Who and Cream in concert, and after joining a number of bands answered a newspaper ad from a group looking for a guitarist with "flash and ability," Rolling Stone said. He found Simmons, Stanley and Criss at their rehearsal space in Queens. (Reporting by Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Daniel Trotta (Reuters) -Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist of the rock group Kiss, whose hard-driving sound, stage theatrics and iconic makeup created one of the most popular and groundbreaking bands of all time, died on Thursday at age 74, his family said. A representative for Frehley, Lori Lousararian, attributed his death to a recent fall at his home, Rolling Stone magazine said. "We are completely devastated and heartbroken," Frehley’s family said in a statement, adding that their loving, caring words and prayers surrounded him in his last moments. "The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever!" Kiss burst onto the scene in the 1970s with a sound and look widely recognized as hard rock and glam rock, given its black-and-white face paint, elaborate black and silver leather costumes and on-stage pyrotechnics. It was also considered a forerunner to heavy metal. Hits from 1975, such as the party anthem "Rock and Roll All Nite" and the concert album "Alive!" have become rock classics. All 26 of their albums went gold, selling at least 500,000 in the United States, the most by any American band, and 14 went platinum, selling 1 million or more, though some of those records came after Frehley left the band.   Frehley, lead singer and bassist Gene Simmons, guitarist Paul Stanley and drummer Peter Criss each had his own look and alter ego. With a star painted on his face, Frehley was also known as "Spaceman." He stayed with Kiss through its heyday in the 1970s and joined the band's reunion in the 1990s. As a solo artist, he recorded the 1978 hit "New York Groove." Paul Daniel Frehley was born in the Bronx section of New York City on April 27, 1951. Playing guitar as a teenager, he found his calling after seeing The Who and Cream in concert, and after joining a number of bands answered a newspaper ad from a group looking for a guitarist with "flash and ability," Rolling Stone said. He found Simmons, Stanley and Criss at their rehearsal space in Queens. (Reporting by Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Daniel Trotta (Reuters) -Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist of the rock group Kiss, whose hard-driving sound, stage theatrics and iconic makeup created one of the most popular and groundbreaking bands of all time, died on Thursday at age 74, his family said. A representative for Frehley, Lori Lousararian, attributed his death to a recent fall at his home, Rolling Stone magazine said. "We are completely devastated and heartbroken," Frehley’s family said in a statement, adding that their loving, caring words and prayers surrounded him in his last moments. "The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever!" Kiss burst onto the scene in the 1970s with a sound and look widely recognized as hard rock and glam rock, given its black-and-white face paint, elaborate black and silver leather costumes and on-stage pyrotechnics. It was also considered a forerunner to heavy metal. Hits from 1975, such as the party anthem "Rock and Roll All Nite" and the concert album "Alive!" have become rock classics. All 26 of their albums went gold, selling at least 500,000 in the United States, the most by any American band, and 14 went platinum, selling 1 million or more, though some of those records came after Frehley left the band.   Frehley, lead singer and bassist Gene Simmons, guitarist Paul Stanley and drummer Peter Criss each had his own look and alter ego. With a star painted on his face, Frehley was also known as "Spaceman." He stayed with Kiss through its heyday in the 1970s and joined the band's reunion in the 1990s. As a solo artist, he recorded the 1978 hit "New York Groove." Paul Daniel Frehley was born in the Bronx section of New York City on April 27, 1951. Playing guitar as a teenager, he found his calling after seeing The Who and Cream in concert, and after joining a number of bands answered a newspaper ad from a group looking for a guitarist with "flash and ability," Rolling Stone said. He found Simmons, Stanley and Criss at their rehearsal space in Queens. (Reporting by Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Hanna Rantala LONDON (Reuters) -Actor Brendan Fraser immersed himself in Japanese culture and language for his role in the comedy drama "Rental Family". Directed and co-written by filmmaker Hikari, the movie sees Fraser play Phillip, an American actor who travelled to Tokyo to star in a toothpaste commercial and ended up staying. Seven years on, work opportunities are scarce and Phillip's life lacks purpose. But things take a turn when he gets booked by a professional stand-in service using actors to portray family members, friends and companions. Initially hesitant, Phillip soon finds himself connecting with his clients and getting deeply involved in their lives. Attending the movie's London Film Festival premiere on Thursday, Fraser said he was carefully considering his options after finishing the awards season run that culminated in his best actor Oscar win for "The Whale" in 2023. Nothing piqued his interest until he came across what he described as an obscure, unusual title. "This film was going to be shot in Japan. This is a Japanese movie made with Japanese actors, Japanese crew, Japanese artisans, a first for me. I've always tried to find something that's diverse or different or interesting from whatever I've done before. It just ticked all the boxes," he said. Fraser, 56, found a tutor to help him with the language and travelled to Tokyo weeks before the shoot to acclimatise. "We all have to communicate somehow, right? What it all really comes down to is we all want the same things," he said. "And on top of that, Japanese people are unfailingly polite. If ever I was lost on the street, someone would take you by the hand and walk you to your destination. That sort of noblesse and gentility is everything that I crave and found while I was there," he said. Hikari said she wanted to flip her own experiences of living in the United States as a foreigner and tell the story of an American adapting to life in Japan, encountering isolation but also creating meaningful connections. "The world is a bit in a funky place that feels like technology's advanced and it's incredible, but at the same time, there's isolation between people. I feel like making a movie about people's connection was much needed," she said. "Rental Family" is released in the U.S. on November 21 and begins its global cinematic rollout in early January 2026. (Reporting by Hanna Rantala; Editing by Stephen Coates)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)