Putin visits Kuril islands claimed by Japan
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the far-eastern Kuril islands for the first time on Thursday, prompting a "strong" protest by Japan which also claims the territory.
Economy
Forced to leave their smartphones off campus, Afghan university students are divided over whether the new anti-tech rule has disrupted their studies or done wonders for their concentration.
Things to know
Clients have drifted away from Song Oh-soon's fortune-telling village on the edge of Seoul, preferring online AI-powered divination to the centuries-old prophesying tradition still practised there.
Sports
Japan coach Eddie Jones on Thursday named two university students in his starting line-up to face Australia as they look to avenge a narrow defeat in last week's first Test.
Politics
Venezuela's interim government and opposition representatives on Wednesday wrapped up a first round of talks aimed at reconciling the nation following the US ouster of longtime leader Nicolas Maduro.
Culture
Matthew McConaughey had plenty of reasons to select "The Rivals of Amziah King," a honey-themed thriller set in the American Southwest, for his return to the big screen after more than five years away.
Politics
Copper-rich Zambia, once known for defaulting on its debt, heads to the polls Thursday in an election that will test whether President Hakainde Hichilema has convinced voters his economic reforms are paying off.
Politics
Zambians go to the polls Thursday with economic hardship testing President Hakainde Hichilema's record as he seeks a second term to govern the copper-rich nation.
Sports
Brandon Nakashima held off Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 on Wednesday, reaching his first ATP Masters final in Montreal where the title match will be an all-American affair.
Sports
WEST PALM BEACH, FL / ACCESS Newswire / August 13, 2026 / U.S. Polo Assn.®, the official sports brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), was named the highest-ranking sports brand on License Global's annual Top Global Licensor list for the second consecutive year, surpassing the NFL Players Association, PGA Tour, and Formula 1. Marking another milestone, U.S. Polo Assn. climbs to No. 22 overall on the global licensor list spanning the entertainment, fashion, lifestyle, and sports industries. This achievement reflects the continued expansion of the multi-billion-dollar brand globally as it delivered a record year on all fronts with $2.7B in retail sales in 2025.
Day briefly turned to night in Spain on Wednesday, as the country witnessed its first total solar eclipse in more than a century, plunging it into eerie darkness in one of nature's greatest spectacles.
Sports
Lionel Messi, fresh off his flight from Argentina, will be available to come off the bench on Wednesday in Inter Miami's Leagues Cup group stage match against Mexican side Leon.
Economy
Keeping a low profile doesn't come naturally to Donald Trump.
Boulevard
Colombia's earthquake rescue efforts entered what officials called the "final phase" on Wednesday, as rescuers searched for signs of life beneath collapsed buildings before the critical first 72 hours came to an end.
Sports
Normal time in Manchester United's pre-season friendly against Leeds at Dublin's Croke Park on Wednesday ended in bizarre fashion when two young fans ran on to the pitch to take selfies with Bruno Fernandes.
Sports
Under the wing of father-figure Linford Christie, France's Muhammad Abdallah Kounta has rebounded from a controversial six-month ban to claim a 400m silver medal at the European championships in Birmingham.
Sports
Aryna Sabalenka was keeping a brave face on Wednesday as she prepped for her final US Open warm-up in Cincinnati, where the former champion is the top women's seed in the ATP-WTA Masters 1000 event.
Sports
Rory McIlroy is gearing up for a golf marathon as he targets a fourth US PGA Tour FedEx Cup crown, starting with the St. Jude Classic in Memphis, Tennessee, this week.
Sports
Hometown hero Matthew Hudson-Smith enjoyed a dream return to the Birmingham track where he started out as a nine-year-old by regaining his European 400m title on Wednesday.
Sports
Bruno Guimaraes made his first Arsenal appearance as the Premier League champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Como in their final pre-season friendly at the Emirates on Wednesday.
Sports
Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain rubber-stamped their status as Europe's top team as they beat Aston Villa 2-1 in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.
Economy
American football star Travis Kelce described on Wednesday his secretive early July wedding to pop sensation Taylor Swift as "the best night of my life."
Culture
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who earned a reputation for acid putdowns of journalists, is to step down, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday adding she would remain a senior advisor.
Economy
Wall Street stocks mostly gained following slightly better US consumer pricing data but an uptick in Treasury bond yields suggested lingering unease about inflation.
Politics
A benchmark US report on the fast-changing state of the Arctic has been canceled. The nation's top research body has removed a chapter on global warming from a reference manual for judges.
Jury selection kicked off on Wednesday in a California courtroom where Instagram and Facebook owner Meta will defend itself against allegations of harming children in a new trial which experts describe as social media's big tobacco moment.
Dozens of protesters rallied Wednesday outside a hotel hosting political transition talks in Venezuela's capital, demanding greater transparency from the authorities and opposition, AFP journalists observed.
Technology
The total eclipse plunged a vast swathe of Spain from broad daylight into darkness Wednesday, drawing awed gasps and applause from spectators gathered in parks and cities across the country.
Sports
Britain's Matthew Hudson-Smith on Wednesday regained his European 400m title at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium track where he honed his talent as a youth.
Sports
Xavi Hernandez has been named as the successor to Ronald Koeman as head coach of the Netherlands national team, becoming their first foreign boss in 48 years, the country's football association announced on Wednesday.
Boulevard
The son of legendary US film director Rob Reiner denied new charges of killing both his parents when he appeared in court on Wednesday after grand jury indictments were unsealed.
Sports
Former NBA Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook, the league's triple-double king, has "decided to step away" after 18 seasons in the league.
Technology
Day briefly turned to night in Spain on Wednesday, as the country witnessed its first total solar eclipse in more than a century, plunging it into eerie darkness in one of nature's greatest spectacles.
Politics
A benchmark US report on the fast-changing state of the Arctic has been canceled. The nation's top research body has removed a chapter on global warming from a reference manual for judges.
Technology
One of nature's greatest spectacles –- a rare total solar eclipse –- cast its shadow on Wednesday, briefly turning day into night in Russia's remote Arctic north and western Iceland before heading towards mainland Europe.
Politics
Eurovision Song Contest organisers announced rule changes Wednesday excluding any country in an armed conflict from hosting the competition and increasing the mininum age of competitors.
Politics
Dozens of protesters rallied Wednesday outside a hotel hosting transition talks in the Venezuelan capital, demanding greater transparency from the authorities and the opposition, AFP journalists observed.
Sports
Italian teenager Sara Curtis broke the women's 50m backstroke world record at the European championships with a blistering swim in Paris on Wednesday.
Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most successful teams in NBA history, are being sold to former Disney CEO Bob Iger and investor Joshua Kushner in a deal valued at a reported $12.5 billion.
Sports
A year after giving birth to her first child, Sweden's Sarah Sjostrom was crowned European champion in the 50m butterfly for the sixth time on Wednesday.