Pride and fear in Iran after missile attack on Israel
Spain welcomed record number of tourists this summer
Newest China tennis hope Bu takes hard path to face world's best
France says coming tax hikes on the wealthy to be 'temporary'
Economy
Why are Thailand's roads so deadly?
A horrifying fire on a Thai school bus this week that killed at least 23 people, most of them children, underscores how the kingdom's roads are some of the deadliest in the world.
Politics
'Humiliated' profession - Afghan media says abuses rising
Afghan journalists have reported hundreds of cases of abuses by government officials, including torture and arbitrary detention, as well as tightening censorship since the Taliban authorities returned to power.
Last news
Biden, Harris to visit Hurricane Helene disaster zone
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will on Wednesday visit areas devastated by Hurricane Helene, after Harris's election rival Donald Trump turned their handling of the disaster into a political football.
Israel vows to make Iran 'pay' for missile attack
Israel vowed to make Iran "pay" for firing a barrage of missiles at its territory, with Tehran warning on Wednesday it would launch an even bigger attack if it is targeted.
Oracle to invest $6.5 bn in Malaysian cloud services region
Tech giant Oracle on Wednesday said it plans to invest more than $6.5 billion on cloud services data centres in Malaysia, joining a list of US titans rushing to build up their AI infrastructure in Southeast Asia.
Parkrun marks 20 years of a free weekly jog, run... or walk
When Paul Sinton-Hewitt created Parkrun, only 13 people turned out at a London park. Twenty years on, millions jog, run or walk five kilometres (3.1 miles) every week.
Thousands march in India as doctors resume strike
Tens of thousands of people packed the streets of one of India's biggest cities after doctors resumed a strike and called fresh rallies over the rape and murder of a colleague.
Africa roads among world's deadliest despite few cars
Africa has the fewest roads and cars of any region, and yet the largest ratio of vehicle deaths, caused by the usual suspects -- unsafe habits, speeding and drinking -- but also poor infrastructure, scant rescuers and old cars.
Oil extends rally after Iran attack, Hong Kong soars again
Oil prices extended a rally Wednesday after Iran's missile attack on Israel fanned fears of a Middle East-wide conflict, while the Hong Kong market ploughed on with its China-fuelled surge with more big gains.
Shrinking lake on Albanian-Greek border struggles to survive
Plants and reeds have sprouted up as the waters of Little Prespa Lake on the Albanian-Greek border recede, their beauty overshadowing a painful truth: the lake is slowly dying.
Driven out of Iran, Afghan refugees tell of ordeal
At the border with Iran, streams of Afghan refugees return with children in their arms, their entire worldly possessions contained in a large bag.
US VP rivals defend Trump and Harris in polite debate
US vice presidential contenders J.D. Vance and Tim Walz faced off in a surprisingly civil debate Tuesday, despite tense moments on the hot topics of migration, abortion and the threat of war in the Middle East.
Prostitutes, prospectors drive spread in DR Congo mpox capital
Come nightfall, gold-diggers, hawkers and prostitutes alike barrel into the bars of Kamituga in the eastern DR Congo, with some blaming the mining town's nightlife for its growing mpox outbreak.
Fact Check: The 2024 US vice presidential debate
US vice presidential candidates J.D. Vance and Tim Walz met Tuesday in likely their only live and televised face-to-face debate.
China's Xi congratulates new Japan PM Ishiba
Chinese President Xi Jinping has congratulated new Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, state media reported Wednesday, the day after he took office in Tokyo.
The New Saints - Welsh league's European pathfinders
The New Saints are no strangers to making football history and on Thursday they become the first Welsh domestic club to compete in the main draw of a European club competition.
Chelsea's Conference League exile follows internal turmoil
Just three years after being crowned kings of Europe, Chelsea find themselves slumming it in the UEFA Conference League.
Tigers, Royals, Mets and Padres win MLB playoff openers
Detroit's Tarik Skubal pitched six scoreless innings and the Tigers held off a late fightback to defeat Houston 3-1 on Tuesday as the Major League Baseball playoffs began.
Al Hilal enjoy AFC Champions League romp after Neymar boost
Former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic was on target as Al Hilal, buoyed by Neymar returning to training this week, swept past Al Shorta 5-0 in the AFC Champions League Elite late Tuesday in Riyadh.
Hezbollah losses strengthen Turkey against Iran: analysts
Israel's onslaught against Hezbollah in Lebanon is reassuring for Turkey, which could seize the opportunity to strengthen its regional influence in the face of its rival Iran, analysts told AFP.
Oil extends rally after Iran attack, Hong Kong resumes surge
Oil prices rose more than one percent Wednesday, extending the previous day's rally, and safe haven gold pushed towards a record high after Iran's missile attack on Israel ramped up fears about an escalation in the Middle East.
Japan records second-hottest September
Japan had its second-hottest September since records began with some regions the warmest yet, the weather agency said, in a year likely to become the warmest in human history.
Cards to consoles: Nintendo opens first museum
Nintendo opened its first museum on Wednesday in a renovated factory in Kyoto, showcasing the long history of the Japanese video game giant from playing cards to "Super Mario".
New Greenland hearing for anti-whaling activist Watson
A Greenland court will decide Wednesday whether to keep anti-whaling activist Paul Watson in custody pending a decision on his extradition to Japan, where he is wanted over a clash with whalers.
China's Xi tells Putin ready to 'expand' ties: state media
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday told Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin he was ready to "expand" cooperation, as the two leaders exchanged congratulations on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, state media said.
Vance, Walz clash in VP debate overshadowed by Trump
US vice presidential contenders J.D. Vance and Tim Walz clashed on abortion and migration in their televised debate Tuesday, but ended up repeatedly circling back to one subject -- Donald Trump.
Cricket: Six to watch at the women's T20 World Cup
As the 10 teams prepare for the start of the 2024 T20 Women's World Cup, AFP Sport takes a look at six players who are at the forefront of their team's hopes of lifting the trophy on October 20.
Ten Hag demands Man Utd response in Europa League
Manchester United will attempt to recover from another demoralising defeat that raised fresh questions over manager Erik ten Hag's future as they head to Porto in the Europa League on Thursday.
In Colombia, paying at-risk youngsters 'to not kill'
Growing up in a rough Colombian neighborhood governed by criminals and their mob law, Franklin Mina was destined to become a gangster.
Extreme heat another form of death sentence in Texas jails
Prison cells so hot that inmates splash themselves with toilet water. Jails described as ovens where convicts are baked to death.
On world stage, Harris promises alliances and Trump puts US first
The two candidates for US president offer starkly different visions of the world, with November's election carrying the potential to dramatically change policy toward Ukraine and other partners.
Vance, Walz clash in US VP debate
US vice presidential contenders J.D. Vance and Tim Walz took on the crisis in the Middle East as they met Tuesday for what could be an unusually important undercard debate, competing for decisive votes weeks before the election.
X agrees to pay Brazil fines, court orders finances unblocked
A Brazilian judge on Tuesday ordered the unblocking of the bank accounts of Elon Musk's X in the country after the social media platform agreed to pay more than $5 million in fines.
California passes law allowing Dutch-style cannabis cafes
Starting next year, diners in the western US state of California can smoke cannabis at certain restaurants, thanks to a new law allowing for "cannabis cafes" akin to those popularized in the Netherlands.
Taiwan shuts down as Typhoon Krathon approaches
Taiwan shut down schools and closed its financial markets on Wednesday as Typhoon Krathon pounded its south and east with torrential rains and winds ahead of its expected landfall.
Netflix war epic to open Asia's largest film festival
A Netflix period war drama produced by South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook will open Asia's largest film festival Wednesday, the first time a streaming title has kicked off the event.
Can music help plants grow? Study suggests sound boosts fungus
Playing a monotonous sound stimulates the activity of a fungus that promotes plant growth, a study suggested on Wednesday, raising the potential that playing music could be good for crops and gardens.
Death toll from powerful storm Helene tops 150 in US
The death toll from powerful storm Helene, which battered the southeastern United States, has climbed to at least 155, authorities said Tuesday, as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris prepared to survey the damage.
Guatemala dismantles migrant trafficking ring
Guatemalan authorities on Tuesday dismantled a criminal network, with police among its ranks, responsible for smuggling migrants to the United States, the government said.
Tigers beat Astros, Royals blank Orioles to open MLB playoffs
Detroit's Tarik Skubal pitched six scoreless innings and the Tigers held off a late fightback to defeat Houston 3-1 on Tuesday as the Major League Baseball playoffs began.
US, Israel warn of response to Iranian missile attack
The United States said Tuesday that it was discussing a joint response after Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel, warning Tehran of "severe consequences".