Dec 21 - Every week, Reuters journalists produce scores of multimedia features and human-interest stories from around the world.
Below are some stories from this week selected by our editors, as well as explanatory context and background to help you understand world headlines. For a full schedule of news and events, please go to our editorial calendar on Reuters Connect.
Princess Diana dress sells for record $1.1 million at auction
LONDON - An evening dress worn by the late Princess Diana has sold for $1.1 million, 11 times its estimate, breaking the record price for one of her gowns going under the hammer, Los Angeles-based Julien's Auctions said. (AUCTION-DIANA/DRESS (TV), 231 words)
Looking for a hot date? Try a California ice bath
SANTA MONICA, Calif. - Forget the beach or the bar. Californians are looking for love in a new place -- near-freezing ice baths. (CALIFORNIA-DATING/ICE BATH (UPDATE 1, PIX, TV), 425 words)
Brazilian 'geese agents' honk in case of prison break
SAO PEDRO DE ALCANTARA, Brazil - Waddling around the perimeter of a prison in Brazil's southern state of Santa Catarina, geese have edged out their canine predecessors on patrols to make sure inmates do not escape. (BRAZIL-PRISON/GEESE (TV, PIX), 212 words)
Steady hearts, steady hands as Vatican experts restore masterpieces
VATICAN CITY - Whenever Alessandra Zarelli, a restorer at the Vatican Museums, works on a masterpiece by an artist such as Michelangelo, she steadies her heart so her mind can concentrate on the task at hand. (VATICAN-MUSEUMS/ (PIX, TV), 521 words)
Thai rice farmer makes art with plantings that depict cats
BAN KHON SUNG, Thailand - A sleeping cat hugs a fish in a picture seen from the air, picked out in sprouting rainbow seedlings in a rice field in Thailand to illustrate a traditional proverb about abundance. (THAILAND-ART/RICE (TV, PIX), 259 words)
Indonesian transgender models shine spotlight on pollution with plastic fashion
JAKARTA - Deep in the slums of Jakarta, a transgender community is using fashion to raise awareness about their lives and the environment in this densely populated, polluted city. (INDONESIA-LGBT/FASHION (TV, PIX), 244 words)
Pakistan's jailed Imran Khan uses AI-crafted speech to call for votes
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's jailed former prime minister, Imran Khan, used an audio clip generated by artificial intelligence (AI) to address supporters in the first event of its kind in the politics of the South Asian nation, though marred by internet disruptions. (PAKISTAN-POLITICS/KHAN (UPDATE 1, PIX), 481 words)
Temple promised by BJP transforms Indian city but Muslims, some locals feel neglected
AYODHYA, India - In this northern Indian city once marred by communal tensions, laborers are finalizing a $6 billion infrastructure facelift ahead of the opening of a grand Hindu temple that is igniting an economic boom - which some of Ayodhya's poor and its Muslim community say is passing them by. (INDIA-AYODHYA/TEMPLE-BOOM (PIX, TV), 1,241 words)
Film in 2024: 'Barbie' early awards nods, delayed movies top releases
LONDON - From delayed sci-fi sequel "Dune: Part Two" to the held-up third "Deadpool" movie, 2024 will see some major movie releases as the industry recovers from this year's twin Hollywood strikes that halted film production. (FILM-PREDICTIONS 2024/ (TV, PIX), 377 words)
'The Boys' spin-off 'Gen V' delves into dark world of superhero youth
LOS ANGELES - Breakout star Lizze Broadway revels in her TV show “Gen V,” the spin-off of Emmy-nominated Prime Video series “The Boys,”because it has the courage to go where many shows won't by touching on political and social issues. (TELEVISION-GEN V/ (TV), 348 words)
'Ferrari' hopes to drive non-car lovers into theaters
LOS ANGELES - The cast of director Michael Mann’s “Ferrari” is keen to point out to audiences that the film is not just about cars and racing. (FILM-FERRARI/ (TV), 352 words)
EXPLANATORY CONTENT
FACTBOX-Will Iceland volcano affect flights, what damage could be caused?
NEWSMAKER-Reelected to third term, Egypt's Sisi is authoritarian leader with penchant for bridges
(Compiled by Mark Porter and Patrick Enright)
