Showing 1 - 10 of 723
Braving high fuel costs, Filipinos flock to crucifixion spectacle
AFP, Published on 03/04/2026
» SAN FERNANDO (PHILIPPINES) - Hundreds of Filipinos and tourists flocked to a sun-bleached field north of Manila on Good Friday to witness one of the country's most blood-soaked displays of religious fervour, undeterred by rising fuel prices driven by the Middle East war.
Geisha spectacle in Japan's Kyoto celebrates arrival of spring
AFP, Published on 03/04/2026
» KYOTO (JAPAN) - Against a backdrop of blooming cherry blossoms, a group of geishas elegantly shuffle onto a stage in Japan's Kyoto city to begin a centuries-old performance celebrating the arrival of spring.
In ritual dear to Francis, Pope Leo washes feet of 12 priests in Rome
AFP, Published on 03/04/2026
» VATICAN CITY - Pope Leo XIV performed the ritual of washing of the feet for the first time on Holy Thursday, marking a return to tradition for the rite which his predecessor Francis used to perform for the homeless, prisoners and other marginalised people.
Trump to watch Supreme Court weigh challenge to birthright citizenship
AFP, Published on 01/04/2026
» WASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) - President Donald Trump will watch the US Supreme Court hear a landmark case on Wednesday weighing the constitutionality of his contentious bid to end birthright citizenship -- an extraordinary and possibly unprecedented move for the nation's highest office.
Ex-midwife becomes first female Archbishop of Canterbury
AFP, Published on 26/03/2026
» CANTERBURY, England - A former nurse made history Wednesday when she was enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury, the first woman to lead the centuries-old mother church of the world’s 85 million-strong Anglican community.
'Perfect Japan' posts spark Gen Z social media backlash
AFP, Published on 24/03/2026
» TOKYO — Take an everyday video on any suburban transport network, add anime-style music and a rosy filter, and it is suddenly a scene from the Japanese holiday of your dreams.
'We will wait for each one': Ukrainians greet POWs with tears and cheers
AFP, Published on 18/03/2026
» UNDISCLOSED (UKRAINE) - Larysa Gladka was among hundreds of Ukrainians lining the road stretching towards the northern border, holding flags as they anxiously fixed their gaze at the horizon.
'Stealth hit' Pokemon game sends Nintendo shares soaring
AFP, Published on 11/03/2026
» TOKYO — Fan buzz around life-simulation game "Pokemon Pokopia" sent Nintendo shares soaring on Wednesday, with some hailing the new title as a welcome antidote to global conflicts.
Bangladesh sari weaving tradition hangs by a thread
AFP, Published on 11/03/2026
» TANGAIL — Bangladesh's Tangail sari is fighting for survival as weavers warn that automation and economic pressures are pushing the centuries-old craft to the brink despite its global acclaim.
Japan PM opposes changing male-only imperial succession
AFP, Published on 27/02/2026
» TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament on Friday that she opposes changing the imperial family's male succession rules.