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Six couples sued the Japanese government on Friday seeking the right to use different surnames after marriage, filing the case to coincide with International Women's Day.

Twenty years ago, a large, well-organised terror cell planned and staged the deadly Madrid train bombings, but today the jihadist threat facing Spain comes from lone wolves and small self-radicalised groups.

The world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchange Binance is halting operations in Nigeria's naira currency as the government puts cryptobusinesses under increasing scrutiny.

France's President Emmanuel Macron is on Friday to oversee abortion becoming a constitutional right at a special ceremony in Paris to mark the world first.

A five-wicket haul by paceman Josh Hazlewood ensured Australia had the upper hand on a wicket-laden opening day of the second Test against New Zealand on Friday.

Hong Kong on Friday introduced the draft bill of a new national security law that includes life sentences for major offences such as treason and insurrection.

US President Joe Biden warned Israel on Thursday that it cannot use aid as a "bargaining chip" in its fight against Hamas and called for an immediate temporary ceasefire in Gaza, where fears of a looming famine have multiplied.

The US military will establish a temporary port off Gaza's coast to bring in desperately needed aid, President Joe Biden announced Thursday, in a major operation as Israel holds up deliveries on the ground.

The creator of Japan's hugely popular and influential "Dragon Ball" comics and anime cartoons, Akira Toriyama, has died aged 68, his production team said Friday.

While some of France's biggest names struggle, unfashionable Brest are enjoying their best-ever season and are on course to crown it with qualification for the Champions League for the first time.

With Bayer Leverkusen threatening to run away with the Bundesliga title, Thomas Mueller appealed to a higher power ahead of Bayern Munich's home clash with Mainz on Saturday.

Andy Farrell has insisted his native England remain capable of scuppering Ireland's bid for successive Grand Slams even though the visitors will be overwhelming favourites to win Saturday's Six Nations clash at Twickenham.

Luis Suarez grabbed a stoppage-time equaliser after Lionel Messi had reduced the deficit as Inter Miami fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup round-of-16 tie on Thursday.

Student activist Lin Lin led protests against Myanmar's junta, defying the generals for months before being hunted down and caught.

From teaching centuries-old crafts to cataloguing their language, exiled Tibetans guard the cultural identity of a homeland most have neither seen nor dare visit, and where they say Beijing is eradicating their heritage.

President Joe Biden launched a scorching attack on his "dangerous" November presidential election rival Donald Trump in Thursday's State of the Union address, warning that US democracy is under "assault."

US President Joe Biden called for higher taxes on corporations Thursday in his State of the Union address, pushing for lower medicine costs and improved housing affordability, seeking to allay concerns over the economy.

Asian markets on Friday tracked a record-breaking day in New York and Europe as traders grew increasingly optimistic for a series of US interest rate cuts this year, with attention now on crucial jobs data due later in the day.

Seamer Josh Hazlewood led a blistering Australian pace attack that saw New Zealand crash to 162 all out at tea on day one of the second Test in Christchurch on Friday.

China will adopt wide-ranging security laws in 2024 to "resolutely safeguard" its sovereignty, a top lawmaker vowed at a key legislative meeting Friday, as President Xi Jinping's government seeks to eliminate perceived threats to its rule.

For Muslims worldwide, Ramadan is a time of prayer, reflection and joyful evening meals, but all Gazans wish for this year is an end to five months of war and suffering.

The number of female genital mutilation survivors tops 230 million worldwide, UNICEF said in a new report Thursday, an increase of 15 percent since 2016 despite progress against the practice in some countries.

Revving round a dusty oval in the heart of Pakistan's largest city, women on motorbikes practise looping a row of safety cones, their helmets securing colourful headscarves in place.

President Joe Biden opened his State of the Union speech Thursday with a fiery attack on his "dangerous" November presidential election rival Donald Trump, warning that US democracy is under "assault."

A "mass bleaching event" is unfolding on Australia's famed Great Barrier Reef, authorities said Friday, as warming seas threaten the spectacular home to thousands of marine species.

Naomi Osaka powered through on a third match point to advance to the second round of the ATP-WTA Indian Wells Masters on Thursday with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Italian qualifier Sara Errani.

Scotland have an outside chance of claiming their first Six Nations title in a quarter of a century as they face improved Italy in Rome on Saturday.

Liverpool host Manchester City in a defining moment in the Premier League title race as Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola conclude their top-flight rivalry on Sunday.

Ireland begins voting in a double referendum Friday on proposals to modernise constitutional references to the make-up of a family and women's role in the home.

Seven-time Olympic gold medallist Caeleb Dressel launched his 2024 campaign aimed at the Paris Olympics with a 100m butterfly victory at the Pro Swim Series in Westmont, Illinois, on Thursday.

US President Joe Biden will use his State of the Union address Thursday to attack election rival Donald Trump for plotting "revenge and retribution" while offering skeptical voters his own vision of an American comeback.

As a teenager, Victor Rodriguez felt excluded from his religion for being gay, but now he's welcome at inclusive masses in a Mexico City church, where same-sex couples have also begun receiving blessings with the pope's endorsement.