Hollywood star Angelina Jolie on Friday attended Croatia's premiere of her directorial debut "In the Land of Blood and Honey", a wartime love story situated in neighboring Bosnia.

Unlike in Sarajevo, where Jolie attended a gala showing of her film before several thousand people on Tuesday, the Croatian launch was more intimate, in a movie theatre to some 500 VIP invitees.

Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder will sing at the private funeral of Whitney Houston on Saturday in what promises to be a very musical service.

Publicist Kristen Foster also confirms that invitations went out to Houston's ex-husband, Bobby Brown; her co-star in "The Bodyguard," Kevin Costner; and Oprah Winfrey.

Aerialists, acrobats and contortionists from Cirque du Soleil are among the guests at this year's Academy Awards.

The three-minute performance at the Oscars on Feb. 26 will be among the international troupe's biggest yet, said Cirque du Soleil special events director Yasmine Khalil, featuring more than 50 artists. Most Cirque shows employ 75 to 80 artists over two hours, she said.

Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal will wield the sword of Zorro in a futuristic version of the classic story about the masked crusader, according to the film industry magazine Variety.

Unlike previous versions, the new movie, "Zorro Reborn," will not take place during Spanish colonial times in California or Mexico.

Carnival frenzy is sweeping Brazil as the South American powerhouse prepares to launch a week of sizzling samba dancing, glittering parades, and unabashed merry-making.

Over the next days this racially diverse country of 191 million people will come to a standstill for the pre-Lent bacchanalian festival that is its most popular holiday.

Jennifer Lopez, Fergie and Playboy founder Hugh Hefner will be among the US celebrities who will attend Rio's famed Carnival, which kicks off Friday.

Lopez will be in the box of Brahma, Brazil's largest brewer, according to the daily O Globo, which said the singer-actress would arrive Sunday shortly before the start of the sumptuous parades of the top samba schools.

Bart Simpson took the New York Fashion Week runway Wednesday thanks to designer Jeremy Scott.

Known for his wacky, colorful designs, Scott used pictures of the cartoon prankster from "The Simpsons" on sweaters for men and women. The little guy even popped up on thigh-high leg warmers for women and his "Bartman" persona was on a sweater for men.

Some were confused, others offended by Nicki Minaj's over-the-top performance at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, but the singer-rapper doesn't understand what all the hubbub is about.

"I don't know what is the big issue?" she asked.

The funeral on Saturday for pop superstar Whitney Houston will be broadcast live from the New Jersey Baptist church where she grew up singing in a gospel choir, the funeral home owner said.

"Her publicist has chosen one person who will be allowed into the sanctuary and who will be streaming (video) to you all," Carolyn Whigham, whose Newark funeral home is handling preparations for Houston's service, told Agence France Presse.

Most newlyweds have to make do with photos to immortalize the moment they say "I do". But Prince William and his wife Catherine will have their special day captured forever -- in Barbie doll form.

"Available in April timed to their one year wedding anniversary, the gift set features the two wearing outfits inspired by their regal wedding day attire," said a spokesman for Barbie-maker Mattel.