A 93-year-old former Belgian diplomat ordered to stand trial over the 1961 killing of Congolese independence icon Patrice Lumumba has appealed the decision, his lawmaker said Friday.
Scientists have managed to film a spectacular event rarely witnessed by humans: a sperm whale giving birth while other females worked together to support the mother and her newborn.
France on Friday called the International Olympic Committee's new policy on gender testing to determine eligibility to compete in women's events a "step backwards", but other countries welcomed the move.
- France calls Olympic gender test 'a step backwards', other countries approve
- E-commerce in the crosshairs at WTO in digital taxes battle
Economy
Struggling German carmaker Volkswagen is in talks with defence firms to repurpose a plant in northern Germany for the production of military transport equipment, the firm's boss said Friday.
March 27, 2026
RECENT NEWS
- Ex-England manager Hodgson, 78, returns as Bristol City boss
- Police probe firebomb attack on Russian centre in Prague
- Diamond League athletics meet in Doha still slated for May 8 - organisers
- Belgium's Goffin to retire at end of season
After a month of war with Israel and the United States with no clear end in sight, Iranians tell AFP about how life has changed, about watching missiles fall, and how security forces have tightened their grip.
March 27, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Argentina full-back Nicolas Tagliafico says becoming the first team to successfully defend the World Cup title in 64 years would be a "dream" for the three-time world champions.
March 27, 2026
Japan's government plans to temporarily lift restrictions on coal-fired power plants as it seeks to ease an energy crunch caused by the Middle East war, officials said on Friday.
March 27, 2026
The Mexican Navy was searching on Friday for two boats that went missing while transporting humanitarian aid to crisis-hit Cuba, authorities and the convoy organizers said.
March 27, 2026
Politics
G7 allies were on Friday pressing US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for clarity on American plans for Iran almost one month into the war in the Middle East, as concern intensifies over the damage to the global economy from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
March 27, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Iran's Revolutionary Guards urged civilians across the Middle East Friday to stay away from areas near US forces, ramping up its threats despite President Donald Trump's claim talks to end the month-long war were "going well".
A humpback whale stranded on Germany's Baltic Sea coast since early this week has freed itself and swum into deeper waters, rescuers said Friday.
On a farm in South Africa's semi-arid south, herds of angora goats foraged across open land stretching to the horizon, their pale fleeces glinting in the harsh sun.
Two Bengal tiger cubs born in Indonesia's Bandung Zoo last year have died from a viral infection, a conservation official told AFP on Friday.
March 27, 2026
Politics
Oil prices rose Friday and stocks were mixed as initial optimism over Donald Trump's decision to again push back a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz petered.
March 27, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Bradley Rowen Liu, 11, wonders what he will do with himself once Indonesia's social media ban for under-16s enters into force on Saturday. As things stand, he spends most of his free time on TikTok.
The Pakistan Super League got under way with a win for Lahore Qalandars against Hyderabad Kingsmen but without the usual razzmatazz accompanying cricket's shortest format -- or fans.
Oil prices and stocks were mixed Friday as early optimism fuelled by Donald Trump's decision to again push back a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz petered.
McLaren's Oscar Piastri powered to the fastest time in Friday's second practice for the Japanese Grand Prix, usurping the dominant Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.
March 27, 2026
- Nepali rapper Shah sworn in as prime minister
- New Zealand, Australia say Olympic gender rules bring 'clarity'
- Gabon battles for baby sea turtles' survival
- Hungarians' growing anger at living in EU's 'most corrupt state'
- Mexico's navy says two boats ferrying aid to Cuba are missing
- Germany eyes Australian 'Ghost Bat' for drone combat era
- Nepali rapper to be sworn in as new prime minister
- Cryptocurrencies aiding Iran during war