AFP News Agency

Six major international powers say they are ready "to contribute to" ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, though three stressed that any initiative would take place post-ceasefire u.afp.com/SLLP

K-pop megastars BTS to release a new album Friday a day ahead of a huge comeback concert in Seoul u.afp.com/SLLc

Colombian town of Facatativa hit by floods after heavy rain and river overflow 📸 Raul Arboleda

Cherry blossoms are in full bloom in the gardens of the Reggia of Venaria Reale near Turin on March 19, 2026. The delicate trees typically flower in early spring, attracting visitors from across Italy and beyond to the historic palace gardens.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel's military attacks had "decimated" Iran and that the Middle East war could finish sooner than expected, even as the Islamic republic kept up attacks on Gulf oil and gas targets that have jolted global markets. u.afp.com/SLu2

VIDEO: Nearly 10 months have passed since the release of KPop Demon Hunters, but many foreign tourists still visit one of its locations -- Naksan Park in Seoul. The film won two Oscars and is Netflix's most-watched original film.

Italian populist politician Umberto Bossi, a firebrand who founded the anti-immigrant Northern League party and pushed for the wealthy north's independence, died Thursday aged 84. u.afp.com/SLLk

US President Donald Trump on Thursday startled Japan's prime minister by mentioning the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, a seemingly light-hearted remark sure to elicit unease in a country now a firm US ally. u.afp.com/SLuF

Lawmakers in California said Thursday they will rename the Cesar Chavez Day state holiday in the wake of disturbing allegations of sexual abuse by the late labor rights icon. u.afp.com/SLuj

VIDEO: Huge crowds of Hindu devotees pack the streets of a southern Mumbai neighbourhood to celebrate the Gudi Padwa festival, which marks the new year in the western Indian state of Maharashtra.

EU leaders failed to persuade Hungary's Viktor Orban to lift his block on a massive loan to support Ukraine's war effort at summit talks on Thursday, leaving the much-needed funding in limbo. u.afp.com/SLuL

Iranian attacks on the world's largest LNG plant in Qatar and refineries in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait sent shock waves through energy markets Thursday as the United States said there was no deadline to end the Middle East war. u.afp.com/SLu2

The United States and allies in Latin America and the Caribbean have ushered in a new phase of anti-drug cooperation, including extraditions, shared intelligence and security plans despite criticism from international organizations. u.afp.com/SLuX

VIDEO: Shoppers at Pop Mart's flagship store in Shanghai have a mixed reaction to the announcement of an upcoming Labubu movie. Pop Mart sold more than 100 million Labubu dolls last year, with Chinese officials hailing the character's popularity as evidence of China's growing cultural and soft power.

🇻🇪 🇺🇸 ⚾ Venezuela beats USA in politically charged baseball final Venezuela beat the United States 3-2 to win the World Baseball Classic for the first time, sparking an outpouring of national pride after a tense final dripping with political symbolism. The shock victory came over two months after the US capture of authoritarian Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in a military raid

🇪🇺 🇭🇺 🇺🇦 EU leaders failed to persuade Hungary's Viktor Orban to lift his block on a massive loan to support Ukraine's war effort at summit talks on Thursday, leaving the much-needed funding in limbo ➡️ u.afp.com/SLuw

🚛 🚢 ✈️ The Middle East war could weigh heavily on already slowing global trade, the WTO warned on Thursday, with merchandise trade volume potentially growing just 1.4% this year, compared to 4.6% in 2025 ➡️ u.afp.com/SL6V

🇫🇮 😊 Finland the world's happiest country for ninth year in a row: UN report Finland has been named the world's happiest country for the ninth year in a row, according to an annual UN-sponsored report. Known for its nature, sauna culture and extensive welfare system, the country’s 5.6 million inhabitants generally report a high level of trust in authorities and low levels of inequality #geneu_AFP

🇮🇷 Iran will "boycott the United States" but "not the World Cup", Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj said in a video released by the Iranian press agency Fars. ➡️ u.afp.com/SL6M

🇬🇧 The number of meningitis cases being probed by UK authorities has risen to 27, health officials said Thursday, following an unprecedented deadly outbreak centred on a university. ➡️ u.afp.com/SL2H