‘Rogue One’ shoots down box office competition

The Walt Disney Company has said its profits in the first three months of the year are $1.4 billion lower because of the coronavirus lockdowns in many parts of the world. The company saw a particular slump in income from its theme parks, which have been shut down due to the virus spreading. Also today: more bad news in the travel industry, as the home rental giant Airbnb cuts 25 percent of its workforce. Our Business Editor Stephen Carroll tells us more.

Disney's new remake of "Mulan" was tailored to appeal to audiences in China. It stars big-name Chinese-born actors like Jet Li, Gong Li and Donnie Yen, and the story itself is based on an old Chinese folk tale. And while the plot is set during the Han dynasty, today's geopolitical issues have added an unexpected bit of drama. The movie is mired in controversy for political reasons ranging from China's human rights record to its crackdown in Hong Kong.

Disney theme Park on Tuesday decided to lay-off 28,000 people in the United States as the coronavirus pandemic hits its parks and resorts business. Around 67 percent employees who are losing their jobs are part-timers, Disney says.

Crowds flock to Taipei's annual Christmas Land lights festival, featuring Disney-themed 3D mapping projections and colourful lighting installations. Taiwan is one of the few places in the world that has not imposed lockdowns during the pandemic. Now in its 10th year, Christmas Land is Taiwan's largest Christmas lights festival, attracting more than 6 million visitors last year.

Disney's shares have rallied after the company reported better than expected results for its latest quarter. Sales came in at €16.2 billion, down 22 percent from the previous year, amid a continuing hit from the pandemic. But its streaming business Disney+ is continuing to grow as people stay home for longer, offsetting losses made at its theme parks that have suffered months of shutdown. Plus, as dining out is not an option for many couples this Valentine's Day, a handful of hotels in Brussels are offering quality time and fancy dinners for two – in guest rooms.

Audiences are cramming into Chinese cinemas to watch a sentimental comedy that has rapidly become one of the most popular films of all time in the country and marks a triumphant debut for its female director.

The Warner Bros. film raked in $48.5 million over its opening weekend between Wednesday and Sunday.

The latest "Fast and Furious" action adventure film cruised to the top of the international box office at the weekend, trade magazine Variety reported, making a $162.4 million overseas debut outing. According to Variety, the figure came from ticket sales in eight markets, including China, Hong Kong and Korea. It marked the best opening weekend for a Hollywood blockbuster since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Usually a reliable big seller for cinema, this year's July 4 weekend box offices sales brought about an improvement on last year's dismal revenue, thanks in part to the release of three new films, Hollywood publication Variety reported on Monday.

Residents and students attend a vigil at the gates of the Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi to pay homage to Pulitzer Prize-winning Indian photographer Danish Siddiqui. The Reuters news agency photographer was killed covering fighting between Afghan security forces and the Taliban near a border crossing with Pakistan. The Reuters news agency photographer was killed Friday covering fighting between Afghan security forces and the Taliban near a border crossing with Pakistan. "Danish was a people's journalist... He used to narrate the sorrow and pain of our times through his camera," said one resident. His photos of protests in the neighbourhood against a controversial citizenship law last year were well-known among the residents here.

"Black Widow" star Scarlett Johansson has sued Disney over its streaming release of the film, which she claimed deprived her of potential earnings and breached her contract. Disney say she pocketed $20 million to date.

Protesters sing and chant at a demonstration against police brutality in Manzini, Eswatini. The tiny African country has been rocked by a wave of pro-democracy demonstrations, including workers from the transport sector as well as pupils and students who have boycotted lessons and called for free schooling.