United States President Joe Biden has pledged to continue his re-election campaign “to the end”, as the embattled Democrat fights to keep his candidacy alive amid growing alarm over his physical and mental fitness.

Biden, 81, on Wednesday insisted that he would keep running despite growing pressure from within his party to step aside following last week’s disastrous debate performance against his Republican challenger Donald Trump.

Same-sex marriage nears in Thailand 

Wedding planners, hotels, malls and mortgage brokers are hoping to cash in on the legalisation of same-sex unions.

Thailand is set to become the third place in Asia to allow same-sex weddings, after Taiwan and Nepal . Bangkok, Thailand – For three decades, Dujruedee Thaithumnus has presided over symbolic weddings between same-sex couples on the white sand beaches of Thailand’s Samui island.

As Thailand prepares to legalise LGBTQ marriages, Dujruedee is looking forward to officiating legally recognised ceremonies for the first time – and cashing in on the “pink baht”.

Pro-Palestinian protesters scale Australian parliament roof

DW

The protesters climbed the roof of Australia’s Parliament House in Canberra, in a serious security breach.

Taken from video footage provided by Australian Broadcast Corporation (ABC) shows protesters with banners above the main entrance to Parliament House in Canberra

Pro-Palestine protesters climbed the roof of Australia’s Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday in a security breach that was condemned by lawmakers.

Four people clad in black and wearing traditional Palestinian keffiyeh scarves, climbed the facade at the entrance to Australia’s parliament before rolling out banners. One read “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” — a common refrain at pro-Palestinian rallies and an expression that has been declared illegal in Germany. They stood there for about an hour.

UK General Election 2024: What you need to know about election day

Polling stations across the United Kingdom will open on Thursday as the nation prepares to usher in a new prime minister.

A woman leaves a polling station after voting in London [File: AP Photo/Kin Cheung]

Since UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a surprise snap general election in a rain-soaked announcement outside 10 Downing Street in late May, the election campaign, which has been littered with political scandals and gaffes, has played out at breakneck speed.

Political analysts and polls suggest a historic election with the main opposition party, Labour, on course to usurp the Conservatives who, after 14 years in power, now face a run-off for the opposition with the right-wing populist Reform UK.