Showing 1 - 10 of 864
'Artists of steel': Japanese swords forge new fanbase
AFP, Published on 11/02/2026
» MISATO, SAITAMA (JAPAN) - Sparks illuminate the soot-covered studio of Japanese swordsmith Akihira Kawasaki as his apprentice hammers red-hot steel, showcasing a millennium-old craft now enjoying a resurgence in popularity.
Trump says closing Kennedy Center arts complex for two years
AFP, Published on 02/02/2026
» WASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) - US President Donald Trump announced Sunday he is closing the Kennedy Center arts complex in Washington for two years, beginning on July 4 -- the nation's 250th anniversary -- for a thorough renovation.
Sumo diplomacy: Japan's heavyweight 'soft power' ambassadors
AFP, Published on 30/01/2026
» TOKYO - Two giants stare each other down before colliding with a dull thud. After years on the sidelines, sumo is back centrestage as part of Japan's soft power arsenal overseas.
Trump sues JPMorgan Chase, CEO Dimon, claims 'debanked' for politics
AFP, Published on 23/01/2026
» NEW YORK - US President Donald Trump sued JPMorgan Chase and CEO Jamie Dimon on Thursday, alleging he was wrongly "debanked" for political reasons, according to a civil complaint.
China keeps pressure on Cambodia to target cross-border fraud and trafficking
South China Morning Post, Published on 19/01/2026
» Beijing is urging Phnom Penh to broaden its crackdown on Cambodia's online fraud industry, keeping up pressure following the arrest and extradition to China of alleged fraud kingpin Chen Zhi.
Harry set for final courtroom battle against UK media
AFP, Published on 19/01/2026
» LONDON - Prince Harry is to return to London this week for the trial into his claims that a UK newspaper group unlawfully gathered information, in the former royal's last case in his long-running crusade against the media.
Trump embraces AI deepfakes in political messaging
AFP, Published on 15/01/2026
» WASHINGTON - From playing football in the Oval Office to sipping cocktails on a sun lounger in Gaza and attacking critics from a fighter jet, Donald Trump has become the first US president to deploy AI-generated imagery as a key tool of political communications.
French minister criticises Clooney's 'double standard' passport
AFP, Published on 01/01/2026
» PARIS (FRANCE) - A junior member of President Emmanuel Macron's government Wednesday criticised the French passports given to Hollywood superstar George Clooney despite him speaking poor French, saying the move suggested a "double standard".
Brigitte Bardot to be buried in Saint-Tropez cemetery
AFP, Published on 29/12/2025
» SAINT-TROPEZ (FRANCE) - Cinema icon Brigitte Bardot is to be buried in a graveyard in her hometown of Saint-Tropez, an official said Monday, as France wrestles with how to pay tribute to a cultural legend who in later years championed far-right views.
Upstart gangsters shake Japan's yakuza
AFP, Published on 19/12/2025
» TOKYO - When Takanori Kuzuoka began climbing the criminal career ladder, he didn't fancy joining Japan's old-school yakuza, with their tattoos, rigid hierarchy and codes of honour.