'Vande Mataram': Why is India's freedom song in spotlight?
Ukrainian fashion designer debuts art between air raids
Counterculture pop artist Peter Max dies at 88: US media
Gambian businesses struggle under prolonged blackouts
Sports
Asian Games chief defends 'functional' rooms after backlash
Accommodation for Asian Games athletes in Japan is "functional" and efforts are being made to deal with numerous complaints from disgruntled teams, a chief organiser told AFP.
Health
Fiji declares national HIV crisis
Fiji has declared a national HIV crisis as sexual transmission and illicit drug use help to spread the virus, now infecting an estimated one in 60 adults in the Pacific nation.
Last news
Leader's sister says only 'idiots' think N. Korea to give up nukes
The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Thursday that the country's nuclear-armed status was "absolute", calling those hoping for its denuclearisation "idiots".
Australia to cut migration to fix housing crisis: minister
Australia will reduce migration by curbing "visa hopping", tightening rules on students and working holiday makers as well as cracking down on overstayers, its interior minister said Thursday, as the far-right surges in the polls.
World's water cycle becoming more unpredictable, UN warns
The planet's water cycle is becoming increasingly erratic, swinging between too little and too much, the United Nations warned Thursday, with an unprecedented El Nino expected to exacerbate the long-term trend.
NASA scan discovers new, 'once in a century' Moon crater
A researcher at NASA has found a massive, recently-formed crater on the Moon, a rare occurrence that only happens "once in a century or even longer," according to scientists.
Where the US-China tariff row stands ahead of White House summit
Trade frictions between the world's top two economies are set to take centre stage next week when US President Donald Trump hosts Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the White House.
Most stocks rise as Fed hikes and indicates drive to curb inflation
Most equities rose Thursday after the Federal Reserve hiked interest rates for the first time in three years and boss Kevin Warsh sounded a hawkish note that ramped up bets on another increase as officials fight surging inflation.
Croc-habitat gets green light for 2032 Olympic rowing
A river home to crocodiles was approved Thursday as the 2032 Brisbane Olympics rowing and canoeing venue by the sport's governing bodies after a "thorough and robust assessment".
US again denies Palestinian leader Abbas visa to attend UN assembly
The United States has denied Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas an entry visa to attend the UN General Assembly in New York next week, a source familiar with the case said Wednesday.
Indonesia cash-for-photos scheme turns animal hunters into protectors
Indonesian villager Octavius wades through the forest in rubber boots and tattered joggers, ears pricked, eyes peeled, a telephoto lens on his phone primed to capture orangutans, monkeys or birds.
Lula says he will go to UN to tell Trump to 'stay out' of Brazil's elections
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Wednesday he will tell US President Donald Trump "not to meddle in Brazil's elections" next week during the United Nations General Assembly.
'Left-field' life: Briton becomes Thailand's top foreign monk
From a working-class childhood on the southern English coast to the top foreign-born monk in Thailand, Shaun Chiverton's quest for a better life has taken him further than most.
Messi heads Inter Miami to Campeones Cup triumph
Lionel Messi headed a goal and provided an assist as Inter Miami won the Campeones Cup on Wednesday, beating Cruz Azul 2-0 in the annual clash between Major League Soccer and Mexican Liga MX champions.
India's transgender amendment leaves many in limbo
When transgender woman Kali Sidharth Medepalli began hormone replacement therapy in India, she expected to complete her medical transition and undergo surgery within a year.
AI looms large ahead of Xi, Trump summit
Artificial intelligence is set to loom large when Chinese President Xi Jinping meets counterpart Donald Trump in Washington next week, but for all the urgency surrounding the technology, the rivals remain far from agreeing on anything substantial.
Trump to host Xi amid pomp, low expectations
The US military honor guard has been rehearsing and the new White House helipad is ready. But will Xi Jinping and Donald Trump achieve lift-off at their summit next week?
Smith still haunted by 'Sandpapergate' as he prepares for South Africa Tests
Steve Smith says he is still traumatised by the infamous "Sandpapergate" ball-tampering scandal in 2018, but the former Australia skipper is undaunted about returning to South Africa for his first Test series since.
Harry set for UK public outings with security, royal status hazy
Prince Harry and wife Meghan have kept a low profile since returning to Britain three weeks ago but, as his first public engagements loom, tensions over their security and monarchy relationship have surfaced.
UK-Sudanese author pens book to give children 'African history of Africa'
Journalist and author Zeinab Badawi, whose history of Africa has sold more than 110,000 copies, is turning her attention to younger readers with a forthcoming children's edition of the book.
NFL Chiefs' Kelce among investors bilked in Ponzi scheme
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, husband of singer Taylor Swift, was among investors defrauded out of millions of dollars by a financial adviser who is going to prison.
Boehly and Walter sell Chelsea stake to Clearlake Capital
Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly and director Mark Walter have sold their stakes in the Premier League side to majority owner Clearlake Capital, which has assumed full control, the club announced Wednesday.
Trump threatens EU over 'hostile' Canada association plan
US President Donald Trump threatened on Wednesday to cut trade with the European Union after the bloc proposed to make Canada its first ever associate member.
US House backs data center power cost bill amid midterm backlash
The US House of Representatives approved legislation Wednesday aimed at making data centers shoulder more of their own electricity costs, as the power-hungry engines of America's AI boom become a major issue in November's midterm elections.
Argentine judge orders suspension of Falklands oil project
An Argentine judge on Wednesday ordered the suspension of a British-Israeli oil project near the Falkland Islands, a purely symbolic move as Argentina escalates its claim over the British-administered territory.
US Congress passes sweeping Russia sanctions bill
US lawmakers approved broad new sanctions designed to squeeze Russia over its war in Ukraine on Wednesday, sending the legislation to President Donald Trump after months of delay.
Carrick takes the blame as troubled Man Utd suffer League Cup misery
Michael Carrick took the blame for Manchester United's stunning League Cup collapse against Brighton after furious fans jeered his side at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Barca hit Racing for seven as Atletico crush Osasuna
Raphinha scored a hat-trick as La Liga leaders Barcelona ripped Racing Santander to shreds in a spectacular 7-2 triumph on Wednesday.
Barcelona hit seven in Racing Santander rout
Raphinha scored a hat-trick as Barcelona ripped Racing Santander to shreds in a spectacular 7-2 triumph in La Liga on Wednesday.
US Fed raises rates to tackle 'too high' inflation, irking Trump
The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised interest rates for the first time since 2023, defying President Donald Trump's demand for cuts, as central bank chief Kevin Warsh stressed the need to combat inflation that has been "too high" for "too long."
Amorim's Milan beaten by Benfica, Sunderland make dream European return
AC Milan slipped to their first defeat under Ruben Amorim with a 2-0 home loss to Benfica as the Europa League got under way on Wednesday, while Sunderland won on their return to Europe after a 53-year absence.
Man Utd misery mounts after League Cup collapse against Brighton
Manchester United's problems mounted as they crashed out of the League Cup after blowing a two-goal lead in a stunning 3-2 defeat against Brighton on Wednesday.
US stocks fall, dollar gains after Fed lifts interest rates
Wall Street stocks fell while the dollar advanced Wednesday after the Federal Reserve lifted interest rates for the first time since 2023.
Turkey releases 106 protesters, jails more LGBTQ activists
Turkish police released more than 100 protesters who had been detained a day earlier for demonstrating against a major weekend crackdown on the LGBTQ community, legal rights activists and an AFP journalist said late Wednesday.