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US, EU pledge billions in ocean aid at int'l conference
A global conference to save the world's oceans kicked off Thursday in Panama with urgent calls to adopt an international protection treaty, along with billions of dollars in US and EU pledges for research, monitoring and conservation.
Singapore masters 'forbidden zone' to rule tchoukball
After a series of rapid passes and powerful jumps, Irene Tan slams the ball into a trampoline-like "rebounder" to score a point.
Chinese tattoo artist tells women's stories through ink
For over two years, Chinese tattoo artist Song Jiayin has interviewed her female clients and posted the results online recording the memories, hopes and fears of hundreds of women in ink and video.
Cambodia opposition leader jailed 27 years for treason
A Cambodian court on Friday sentenced top opposition leader Kem Sokha to 27 years in jail for treason, in a case rights groups say is politically motivated.
Earthquakes, back-to-back cyclones batter Vanuatu
The Pacific nation of Vanuatu was under a state of emergency Friday, after two earthquakes and two cyclones hit in as many days.
Galvanised Barcelona host Valencia in La Liga title pursuit
A Barcelona side galvanised by a gutsy victory over Real Madrid can take a significant step towards the Spanish title with a win over Valencia on Sunday at Camp Nou.
Afghan women's activist fights Taliban and self-doubt
Mahbouba Seraj is a rare dissenting voice in Afghanistan, but the veteran activist has begun to doubt whether the world is listening when she speaks out against the Taliban government's abuses.
China to unveil lowest growth goal in years: analysts
China will likely set one of the country's lowest growth goals in decades at the annual National People's Congress next week, experts told AFP, hit by long-running property woes, a sluggish global economy and geopolitical tensions.
Massive fire engulfs Hong Kong high-rise construction site
A skyscraper under construction in the heart of Hong Kong's historic shopping and tourist district was left scorched on Friday by a massive fire, with authorities saying the blaze had been largely extinguished.
Asian markets rise with Wall St on lower rate hopes
Asian markets on Friday tracked a Wall Street rally after a top Federal Reserve official said he would back a small interest-rate hike at its next meeting but hinted at a possible summer pause to see how tighter policy has impacted inflation.
Don't forget poorest nations, UN envoy pleads ahead of key meet
The world cannot recover from a spate of crises if its poorest nations are forgotten, the UN envoy for the least developed countries told AFP ahead of a key summit.
Biden, Scholz to weigh next steps for Ukraine
US President Joe Biden hosts German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Washington on Friday for talks on charting the way ahead in their support for Ukraine, after friction over tank deliveries to Kyiv.
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Venezuela's own superhero
Venezuela has its very own caped superhero. He wears a red construction helmet and his weapon is his iron fist. Called "Super-Bigote," he is created in the image of President Nicolas Maduro.
Insatiable Mbappe with one eye on PSG goal record and another on Bayern
Kylian Mbappe will lead Paris Saint-Germain into their meeting with Nantes on Saturday looking for the goal that will put him out on his own as the club's all-time top scorer as they get ready for a season-defining trip to Bayern Munich.
Gane gears up to take down 'bad boy' Jones in MMA title fight
Ciryl Gane described Saturday's UFC heavyweight title fight against Jon 'Bones' Jones in Las Vegas as "the biggest fight" of his career and insisted he would "give a good fight" against arguably the biggest name in the MMA world.
US conservatives target liberal 'threat' at annual forum
US conservatives reprised some of their greatest hits on the opening day of their annual conference Thursday, as they offered multiple "culture war" grievances that framed government as the biggest threat to the American way of life.
Drugs from the deep: scientists explore ocean frontiers
Some send divers in speed boats, others dispatch submersible robots to search the seafloor, and one team deploys a "mud missile" -- all tools used by scientists to scour the world's oceans for the next potent cancer treatment or antibiotic.
Lawyer found guilty of killing wife, son in drama that captivated US
A US jury on Thursday found disgraced South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh guilty of murdering his wife and son on their hunting estate in a trial that has drawn global attention.
Tech wars turning cycling into Formula One
Bike technology has become so important to elite road racing teams that the sport has, one rider said, "become like Formula One".
Britain's fresh produce shortages serve up blame game
Shortages of fruit and vegetables -- from broccoli, cucumbers and lettuce, to tomatoes, peppers and raspberries -- have served up a blame game in Britain.
Greek train tragedy sheds light on chronic state failures
The train tragedy that unfolded in Greece this week, claiming dozens of lives in the country's worst rail disaster, has exposed chronic failures by successive administrations, insiders say.
Man Utd face Liverpool test, Arsenal back in the groove
Rampant Manchester United are eager to inflict more pain on Liverpool at Anfield as Arsenal aim to pull further clear of Manchester City in the Premier League title race this weekend.
Egypt unveils hidden corridor in Giza pyramid
Scientists have discovered a hidden passage inside Egypt's Great Pyramid, the authorities announced on Thursday, part of a seven-year international research project.
US jury finds lawyer guilty of killing family in drama that captivated nation
A US jury on Thursday found prominent South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh guilty of murdering his wife and son on their hunting estate in a trial that has drawn global attention.
New Zealand dancer among two new 'stars' of Paris Opera Ballet
The Paris Opera Ballet named New Zealand's Hannah O'Neill and France's Marc Moreau on Thursday as their two new star dancers, the former a rare non-French dancer in the world's oldest ballet company.
Time US adults spend on TikTok closes in on Netflix: market tracker
TikTok is closing in on streaming giant Netflix when it comes to the amount of time US adults spend on the platforms, according to a report released Thursday by Insider Intelligence.
Top-ranked Rahm grabs two-shot lead at Bay Hill
World number one Jon Rahm started fast and finished strong on the way to a seven-under par 65 on Thursday and a two-stroke lead in the US PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational.
St. Louis ends long wait as LAFC start title defense
Major League Soccer's newest club, St.Louis City, will celebrate their first home game on Saturday, ending a 45 year wait for the return of top-flight action in America's original soccer hotbed.
Birthday girl Hodgkinson into 800m semi-final at European Indoors
Defending champion Keely Hodgkinson eased into the semi-finals of the 800m at the European Indoors Championships on Thursday to give herself a perfectly-timed birthday present.
Russian ex-Haas driver Mazepin cleared to race in Europe
Russian ex-Formula 1 driver Nikita Mazepin was Thursday cleared to return to motor racing in Europe, a year after his career was brought to a halt by Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Depleted Barca earn Copa semi first leg Clasico win
Eder Militao's own goal handed a depleted Barcelona a surprise 1-0 away victory over Real Madrid in a stormy Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on Thursday.
US stocks rally despite disappointing inflation data
Beaten-down Wall Street stocks rallied Thursday, shrugging off worries about additional interest rate hikes following the latest batch of worrisome inflation data.