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Parthenon fragments from Vatican return to Greece
Three fragments of Athens' Parthenon temple, kept by the Vatican for centuries, were returned to Greece on Friday in what Pope Francis has called a gesture of friendship.
'Nixon in China': an opera with fresh relevance
Opera rarely feels like a topical medium but modern classic "Nixon in China" is growing in popularity and offering a pointed reminder of how much geopolitics has shifted in the past 50 years.
Bone fragments held by Nazis get funeral in Berlin
A funeral was held on Thursday for thousands of human bone fragments found during excavations at Berlin's Freie Universitaet, thought to have been part of "scientific" collections held by the Nazis.
New 'glass-like' orchid species discovered in Japan
A new species of orchid with delicate, glass-like blooms has been discovered by Japanese scientists, who found the pink and white plant hiding in plain sight.
First 3D-printed rocket lifts off but fails to reach orbit
The world's first 3D-printed rocket launched successfully on Wednesday, marking a step forward for the California company behind the innovative spacecraft, though it failed to reach orbit.
French MPs battle over AI-assisted Olympics surveillance
French government plans to trial surveillance cameras upgraded with artificial intelligence at the 2024 Olympics have opponents fuming at what they say is unnecessary and dangerous security overreach.
Blinken seeks US funds for UN culture agency to counter China
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Wednesday on Congress to agree to $150 million to rejoin the UN culture agency UNESCO, saying the US absence was letting China write rules on artificial intelligence.
Relativity Space to make third bid to launch 3D-printed rocket
The world's first 3D printed rocket is scheduled to make its third attempt to lift off on Wednesday for the maiden flight of an innovative spacecraft billed as being less costly to produce and fly.
Scientists offer 'non-alien explanation' for interstellar visitor
When the first object ever known to have visited the Earth's Solar System from outer space zoomed past in 2017, it was so strange that at least one leading astronomer was convinced it was an alien vessel.
DNA analysis of Beethoven's hair provides clues to his death
Ludwig van Beethoven died in Vienna nearly 200 years ago after a lifetime of composing some of the most influential works in classical music.
RNA base in asteroid samples suggests origins of life on Earth: study
The black particles from an asteroid some 300 million kilometres away look unremarkable, like pieces of charcoal, but they hold a component of life itself.
Google launches ChatGPT rival in US and UK
Google on Tuesday invited people in the United States and Britain to test its AI chatbot, known as Bard, as it continues on its gradual path to catch up with Microsoft-backed ChatGPT.
All hormonal contraceptives increase breast cancer risk: study
All hormonal contraceptives carry a slightly increased risk of breast cancer, including the increasingly popular progestogen-only pills, according to a study published on Tuesday.
Scientists make 'disturbing' find on remote island: plastic rocks
There are few places on Earth as isolated as Trindade island, a volcanic outcrop a three- to four-day boat trip off the coast of Brazil.
Astronomers sound alarm about light pollution from satellites
Astronomers on Monday warned that the light pollution created by the soaring number of satellites orbiting Earth poses an "unprecedented global threat to nature."
Two weeks of banking turbulence
After three US regional lenders collapsed and UBS swooped to buyout troubled Credit Suisse to avoid a wider crisis, AFP looks back at the last two weeks of banking turbulence:
Moroccan villagers keep communal store tradition alive
Surrounded by olive and palm trees in a Moroccan mountain village, a centuries-old collective granary preserves the ancient practices of the Amazigh culture.
Lacking health workers, Germany taps robots for elder care
The white-coloured humanoid "Garmi" does not look much different from a typical robot -- it stands on a platform with wheels and is equipped with a black screen on which two blue circles acting as eyes are attached.
Mexico's popular president reaches out to his base
Mexico's popular president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is set to speak at an event Saturday that will give the leftist nationalist a chance to rally his base a year before his successor is to be elected.
Mexico president calls big rally with election on horizon
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has called for a big political rally in Mexico City on Saturday aimed at energizing his supporters ahead of key elections next year.
France reports 910 dolphins washed up on Atlantic coast
At least 910 dolphins have washed up on France's Atlantic coast since the start of the winter, an oceanographic institute reported Friday.
Microsoft applies AI powers to Excel, Outlook
Microsoft pressed on with its AI revolution on Thursday, announcing that it would apply the powers behind ChatGPT to its iconic Excel, Word and Outlook programs.
Dengue treatment advances in animal trials
A new dengue treatment that could become the first to prevent and treat the virus has proven effective in initial trials in monkeys, according to new research.
Prototype spacesuit for future NASA mission to Moon unveiled
NASA and the private aerospace company Axiom Space unveiled a prototype on Wednesday of the next-generation spacesuit that astronauts will wear on the next walk on the Moon.
Next-generation spacesuit for future NASA mission to Moon unveiled
NASA and the private aerospace company Axiom Space unveiled a prototype on Wednesday of the next-generation spacesuit that astronauts will wear on the next mission to the Moon.
Oxford v Cambridge cricket match to stay at Lord's after backlash
Cricket chiefs have announced that historic fixtures featuring England's most famous schools and universities will remain at Lord's after a backlash from members of the Marylebone Cricket Club.
South Korean President Yoon hails key 'step forward' in Japan ties
South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday hailed growing cooperation with Japan on issues from North Korea to semiconductors, saying it was part of a historic "new chapter" for the two countries.
Costa Rica's 'urban mine' for planet-friendlier lithium
Costa Rica, a country where open pit mining is banned, has become a leader in the extraction of heavy metals such as lithium -- not from the Earth, but old batteries.
At San Francisco expo, AI 'sorry' for destroying humanity
Advances in artificial intelligence are coming so hard and fast that a museum in San Francisco, the beating heart of the tech revolution, has imagined a memorial to the demise of humanity.
Launch of world's first 3D-printed rocket canceled at last second
The launch of the world's first 3D-printed rocket was ultimately scrubbed after several tries on Saturday, marking a new setback for the private owner of an innovative spacecraft billed as being less costly to produce and fly.
T-Rex skeleton to go under hammer in Switzerland
A Tyrannosaurus-Rex skeleton dating back 67-million years will be auctioned in Switzerland next month, marking the first such sale in Europe, the auction house said Saturday.
Treasure hunters' gems go on display in Denmark
They may be derided elsewhere but in Denmark, hobby archaeologists who hunt treasures with metal detectors are such an asset the National Museum has dedicated an entire exhibit to their finds.