Australia is counting down to its next federal election on May 21. The environmental crisis is high on voters' minds and smaller parties and independents are gaining momentum by riding a wave of disillusionment over the conservative coalition's lack of climate action. With a hung parliament looking likely, these minor players could force the traditional parties to do more to tackle global warming. Climate change is an increasingly hot-button issue since the country's devastating bushfires of 2019-20. Our correspondents Richelle Harrison Plesse and Gregory Plesse report.

At least 11 people have died in floods and mudslides triggered by heavy rains in India’s remote northeast region, officials said Tuesday.

Mohammed Yasin Malik told the court that the charges of terrorism against him were "concocted, fabricated and politically motivated."

African Union leaders are meeting in Equatorial Guinea. Inflation and war in Ukraine are increasing food prices across Africa. Four AU member states are suspended because of coups.

With record-high temperatures in Northern Africa and food security worries from Egypt to Morocco, agrivoltaic projects in the region are getting more and more attention.

Popular Punjabi rapper and politician Sidhu Moose Wala was gunned down over the weekend after his security was reduced. Police said gang feuds might be behind the killing.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party has come under fire for incendiary comments about the Prophet Muhammad. Muslim countries have lodged protests amid calls for a boycott of Indian goods.

As many as 54 couples with disabilities tied the knot at a mass wedding ceremony in India's western Vadodara city on Tuesday.

India's government is renewing a plan to create a uniform legal system that would replace a patchwork of religious codes. However, there is concern the UCC will be used to further entrench policies favoring Hindus.

Amid growing concern over price hikes of gas, kerosene and charcoal, a young Nigerian from Kano State invented a water-powered stove. With the help of some chemical components, the prototype works mainly with water to generate a clean, flammable gas.

Two protesters died of gunshot wounds in the eastern city of Ranchi, where rallies against remarks by BJP officials on Prophet Muhammad turned violent Friday evening. Several people were also arrested nationwide.

Fijian Defense Minister Inia Seruiratu said his country was threatened more by climate change than the geopolitical competition in the region. Fiji has borne the costly impact of several cyclones in recent years.