The Mexican government has praised a US judge's decision to block key parts of Arizona's tough new immigration law in the US.

The Pakistan Information Minister says bad weather and difficult terrain are hampering rescue efforts.

French police have been searching the home of Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers, the daughter of the L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt.

The latest and greatest robots are on display in Tokyo this week as the Robotech expo showcases new technologies.

Animal rights activists are celebrating after Catalonia's parliament voted to ban bullfights in the region.

As a photographer, I have the privilege to encounter rare glimpses of the strange and unusual. Most of the time I am thankful to get such an assignment but this particular one turned out to be a mixture of delight and displeasure.

The subject was a Titan arum, or Amorphophallus titanium, one of the world’s largest and rarest plants, which was blooming for the first time in nearly 20 years at a botanical garden in Tokyo. The first visitors lined up from 6:30 am and by the time the gate opened at 10 am, 1600 people had formed a long queue despite the sweltering Tokyo summer heat. The excited crowd was attracted by extensive TV coverage and in the newspaper about this unusual flower that only blooms for two days after taking 16 years to grow from a seedling.

Press were allowed special access to skip the long line and duck under the ropes surrounding the flower to get a close-up shot. At first glimpse, I was surprised to see the 1.5 meter (4.9 feet) tall flower, as it was nothing like any flower I had ever seen before. However, the next moment I stood atop the ladder to get a close up shot, the surprise turned into dismay as a foul odor emanating from the blossom stung my nose. The flower’s rotten garbage-like smell was enhanced by the high humidity and the hot temperature. I quickly snapped a few shots as I held my breath and then put some distance between myself and the flower to catch my breath. I repeated this dance a few times: Hold breath, approach flower, take shots, and retreat. Meanwhile, the gate opened and visitors who’d been waiting for hours flocked towards the gigantic flower. They pushed and shoved to take pictures of the plant and sometimes shouts were heard as people squashed each other.

After looking at the enthusiasm of the visitors and thinking that it would be another 20 years before I could photograph this flower blooming again, I forgot about the bad smell and muggy heat and came to think I was very lucky to have encountered this odd plant.

UK firms BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce seal a £700m deal to supply parts and engines for 57 Hawk jets to India's air force and navy.

Former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has teamed up with the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, for a rare music performance.

Wildfires that erupted and spread quickly in southern California have destroyed dozens of homes and forced evacuations in remote areas.

A spectacular crash has interrupted a race of Brazil's Formula Truck series.

Congressman Sambhajirao Kunjir has been beaten by members of a rival faction of the party at a meeting in Pune in India.

George Osborne has been pressing for greater economic ties between the United Kingdom and India.