Transgender religious order gets rare approval at India Hindu festival
Prayagraj (India) (AFP) – Transgender activists often shunned by society say they have found rare acceptance at India’s Hindu Kumbh Mela festival by giving blessings to pilgrims attending the world’s largest religious gathering.
Stuck in eternal drought, UAE turns to AI to make it rain
Abu Dhabi (AFP) – In the marbled halls of a luxury hotel, leading experts are discussing a new approach to an age-old problem: how to make it rain in the UAE, the wealthy Gulf state that lies in one of the world’s biggest deserts.
Trump's chip tariff threats raise stakes for Taiwan
Taipei (AFP) – US President Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs on semiconductor chips has complicated Taiwan’s bid to remain a global powerhouse in the critical sector and stay onside with key backer Washington, analysts said.
Galatasaray accuse Mourinho of 'racist statements' after derby
Istanbul (AFP) – Galatasaray have accused Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho of making “racist statements” following a 0-0 draw between the bitter Istanbul rivals.
Fears of US public health crises grow amid falling vaccination rates
Washington (AFP) – Plummeting immunization rates, outbreaks of once-vanquished childhood diseases, and the appointment of a vocal vaccine skeptic as health secretary have US experts sounding the alarm about a looming public health crisis.
Latin American classics get the streaming treatment
Buenos Aires (AFP) – Six decades after Latin America burst onto the international literary scene with magical tales that held up a mirror to the continent, its masterworks are enjoying a new moment as streaming platforms adapt them for the screen.
Fires, strikes, pandemic and AI: Hollywood workers can't catch a break
Burbank (United States) (AFP) – Dutch Merrick isn’t really in a party mood for this year’s Oscars.
Their dreams dashed by Trump, migrants make return journey home
Cartí (AFP) – Months after trekking through the treacherous jungle between Colombia and Panama, Saudy Palacios abandoned her hopes of a new life in the United States and joined other migrants going home to South America by sea.
Judge declines to immediately grant AP access to White House events
Washington (AFP) – A US judge on Monday declined to immediately order the White House to restore full access to President Donald Trump’s events to the Associated Press news agency.
Confusion reigns as US federal workers face Musk job deadline
Washington (AFP) – Employees of the US federal government on Monday faced a deadline imposed by Elon Musk that required them to explain their work achievements in an email or potentially lose their jobs.
