Russian security services on Wednesday prevented Maria Alyokhina of punk protest group Pussy Riot from flying out of the country to perform at a top arts festival, she said.

American pop star Pink has been discharged from an Australian hospital after being treated for an "excruciating" gastric virus, but has canceled another Sydney concert scheduled for Thursday while she recovers.

Lithuania's capital is pressing ahead with controversial plans for a raunchy international advertising campaign that refers to the city as the "G-spot of Europe", despite opposition from the church and central government.

Pop legend Janet Jackson and fast-rising rapper Cardi B will headline the Global Citizen festival in New York to rally support for preserving international aid to eradicate extreme poverty.

Robert Redford says he is retiring, at least as an actor. The 81-year-old Oscar winner has said the upcoming movie "Old Man & His Gun" will be his last acting gig.

Pop star Demi Lovato said Sunday she was thankful to be alive and needed time to recover in her first remarks since an overdose nearly two weeks ago.

The Eiffel Tower -- closed to visitors since Wednesday afternoon -- is to reopen on Friday after workers went on strike over unacceptably long queues at the Paris landmark.

Russian police on Monday detained four members of the Pussy Riot punk group immediately after they were released from custody, having served 15 days for invading the pitch at the World Cup final in Moscow.

Bobby Brown says he made some bad choices in his life but denied that his marriage to Whitney Houston ever turned violent, a reversal of a past admission.

Brown, speaking with reporters Friday about BET's new miniseries "The Bobby Brown Story," said such allegations involving his late ex-wife were "completely wrong."

Elton John Tuesday blasted Russia and eastern Europe governments for "discrimination against gays" saying such bigotry was thwarting the fight against AIDS, as scientists announced disappointing results in the quest for a cure.

In a sudden tirade at the second day of a major conference, John, a seasoned AIDS campaigner, gave voice to years of frustration and spoke of the plight of gays who are oppressed in many nations.