Last news
Two people hurt as huge Berlin aquarium bursts
A giant aquarium containing around 1,500 tropical fish burst in Berlin on Friday, flooding a hotel lobby and a nearby street and leaving two people injured, emergency services said.
Pakistan lose opener Haq as whitewash looms in third England Test
Pakistan's injury problems grew with opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq ruled out of the third and final Test against England starting in Karachi on Saturday.
Top Jordan police officer shot dead in fuel price protests
Gunfire killed a senior Jordanian officer and wounded two other police in the country's south, where protesters have taken to the streets for days against rising fuel prices, authorities said Friday.
Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali to retire from international cricket
Veteran Pakistan opening batsman Azhar Ali will retire from international cricket after the third and final Test against England in Karachi starting Saturday.
Kosovo court jails rebel commander for 26 years
A special Kosovo court in The Hague found a former rebel commander guilty on Friday of murder and torture and jailed him for 26 years in its long-awaited first war crimes verdict.
Fire outside France's Lyon kills 10, including five children
Five children including a three-year-old were among 10 people killed when a fire broke out in a seven-storey apartment building in a suburb of the French city of Lyon, the government said Friday.
Gill hits fifty as India punish Bangladesh in first Test
Shubman Gill hit an unbeaten fifty to help propel India into a commanding 394-run lead over a wilting Bangladesh in the first Test in Chittagong on Friday.
Beijing crematoriums strain under China Covid wave
Workers at Beijing crematoriums said Friday they are overwhelmed as China faces a surge in Covid cases that authorities warn could hit its underdeveloped rural hinterland during upcoming public holidays.
Counterstrikes and controversy: Japan's defence overhaul
Japan has laid out plans to expand its defence capabilities drastically over five years.
After three years, Covid 'here to stay'
While the World Health Organization hopes Covid-19 will soon no longer be considered a public health emergency, it has warned the virus itself is here to stay.
South Africa 'salivating' in anticipation of Australia Test clash
South Africa captain Dean Elgar on Friday said his team was "salivating" at the prospect of facing Australia and conceded there could be feisty moments in their first Test series since the "Sandpaper-gate" scandal.
Japan approves major defence overhaul on China threats
Japan's government approved a major defence policy overhaul Friday, including a significant spending hike, as it warned China poses the "greatest strategic challenge ever" to the country's security.
Sixteen killed, 17 missing in Malaysia landslide
At least 16 people were killed when a landslide struck a campsite at a Malaysian farm on Friday, officials said, with rescuers scouring the muddy terrain for nearly 20 people still missing.
'Heavy losses': Ukraine soldiers count war's cost away from front
In a near pitch-black home set back from fierce fighting in Donbas, Ukraine soldier Volodymyr relishes a few moments of calm before deploying again to the front.
Most markets drop as central banks crush Christmas spirit
Most Asian stocks fell Friday as investors contemplated interest rates going higher than expected for an extended period after central banks reaffirmed their commitment to bringing down inflation.
Varadkar to become Irish PM for second time
Leo Varadkar takes over for the second time as Ireland's prime minister this weekend, in a handover of power between the two main political partners in the three-party governing coalition.
Kevin Spacey due in UK court on new sex offence charges
Oscar-winning Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey was due in court in London on Friday to face seven new sexual offence charges.
Three years into Covid, are we ready for the next pandemic?
Three years after the first Covid case was identified in China, preparations to stave off the next pandemic are starting to ramp up but far more needs to be done to avoid repeating past mistakes, experts told AFP.
South Africa 'salivating' at playing Australia
South Africa captain Dean Elgar on Friday said his team was "salivating" at the prospect of facing Australia and conceded there could be "feisty" moments in their first Test series since the "Sandpaper-gate" scandal.
From flamenco to pop: 5 things about singer Rosalia
Rosalia, the former flamenco prodigy who has since cemented her place at the top of the pop world, was arguably the biggest breakout star of 2022.
Kuldeep takes 5-40 as India bowl out Bangladesh for 150
Kuldeep Yadav recorded career-best figures of 5-40 as India bowled out Bangladesh for 150 to take a towering 254-run lead after the first innings of the first Test in Chittagong on Friday.
US citizens trapped in Tigray, detained in Addis Ababa
US citizens trapped in war-torn Tigray are being detained and interrogated by Ethiopian authorities while trying to leave the country, interviews with fleeing people and family members show.
Ukraine war providing lessons for future conflicts
Russia invaded Ukraine hoping for a quick victory over Kyiv's forces, but is instead locked in a grinding, protracted war that has failed to achieve Moscow's main aims.
Kevin Spacey: antihero of screen and stage, #MeToo outcast
Kevin Spacey built a formidable acting career playing dangerous, darkly charismatic antiheroes in hits from "The Usual Suspects" to "House of Cards" -- before disturbing allegations about his personal life brought it crashing down.
Indian javelin ace Chopra displaces Bolt in global interest charts
Usain Bolt has failed to top the list of the most written about athletes for the first time in years in a sign that track and field is emerging from the hold the retired Jamaican sprint legend had over the sport.
Kosovo court to give first war crimes verdict
A special Kosovo court in The Hague will hand down its long-awaited first war crimes verdict Friday in the trial of a former rebel commander accused of murder and torture.
Berlin sex workers reclaim their history with audio app
Sex workers in Berlin are emerging from the shadows to tell the history of their profession, hoping a new app will help them push back against stigma, abuse and the curse of gentrification.
British stiff upper lip came from empire: Nobel-winner Ishiguro
Whatever happened to the famous British emotional restraint? It's a question that has long fascinated Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro.
'Phoenix' rises above male-dominated Malaysian wrestling
Malaysian wrestler Nor "Phoenix" Diana executes a spectacular aerial manoeuvre, then wraps her arms around her opponent and slams her down in the ring as hundreds of spectators cheer.
S. Africa's Ramaphosa on track for re-election as ANC leader despite scandal
South Africa's ruling party on Friday launches a closely watched conference that looks set to re-elect Cyril Ramaphosa as its leader, despite a tarnishing cash-heist scandal.
Tokyo Olympics scandal makes Sapporo bid 'difficult': governor
A corruption scandal surrounding last year's Tokyo Games has damaged Japan's bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympics, a top local official warned.
Asian stocks join global retreat as central banks see higher rates
Asian stocks fell Friday as investors contemplated interest rates going higher than expected for an extended period after central banks reaffirmed their commitment to bringing down inflation.