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In less than a year, Katy Perry has released an album, campaigned for Vice President Kamala Harris and, just this week, flown to space. As she heads to Mexico City to kick off a world tour on Wednesday, the pop superstar shows no intention of slowing down.

“I’m always open and I say, ‘Why not?’ and ‘Let’s just try,’” she told The Associated Press recently at her Southern California rehearsal space. “The power of your thoughts are so incredible because everything starts with a thought. I had this thought, ‘I want to go on tour.’ And here we are.”

With that openness to try comes accepting that not every endeavor will be a victory. Her September album, “143,” was critically panned, and she was simultaneously criticized for reuniting with embattled producer Dr. Luke. Celebrities like Olivia Munn and Emily Ratajkowski critiqued the spaceflight’s use of resources as superfluous and indulgent. And Harris ultimately lost the November election to President Donald Trump.

But Perry’s longevity and the scale of her fame since her 2008 breakout hit, “I Kissed a Girl,” are attributable at least in part to her willingness to get back up in the wake of a setback, as she belts in her 2013 empowerment anthem, “Roar.”

“I can control what I can control,” she said.

That mantra has been refined over the past 15 years through her practice of Transcendental Meditation. The meditation technique has been embraced by a handful of celebrities, including — perhaps most zealously — the late David Lynch, whom Perry credits with spreading the practice and its message.

“That changed my life. And I’ve gone on a long inner space journey to untangle some wires, to answer some questions, to become more grounded, to find the power within myself,” she said.

Perry is fascinated by all things spiritual, casually weaving into conversation references to astrology, the enneagram and cardology, which purports to impart mystical insights into an individual’s personality through playing cards. Perry also credits having her daughter, Daisy, with propelling her along a journey of self-discovery and enhancing her “feminine divine.”

“Being a mother just makes you level up with that type of power,” she said. “I think I’ve just grown into the strong woman that I’ve always dreamed of and idolized.”

That journey has informed her approach to music and performing, down to the narrative of her sci-fi themed “Lifetimes Tour.” Citing films like “Blade Runner” and “The Fifth Element” as visual and thematic inspirations, Perry will play a video game character who faces off against evil forces.

“It’s really about believing in yourself and leading with love. Those are always my messages, no matter how I wrap it or whatever tour I bring. It’s love and empowerment,” she said. “When I can lead by example, it just ripples.”

Perry’s tour of more than 80 performances will primarily be a career-spanning showcase of past hits, but with a dance-infused flare to some of the traditional pop songs. “I tell everybody they have to wear some sensible shoes,” she explained.

In the nearly two decades since Perry emerged as a pop star, she has made tongue in cheek lyricism — in line with her “very sarcastic” sense of humor — and catchy messages of empowerment a signature of her songs. Critical reception to her more recent albums has been less than enthusiastic, but that hasn’t stopped the 40-year-old from going all out for this tour, calling it “Disneyland on wheels.”

“I feel a responsibility to my audience who have really been with me on this ride during this whole lifetime to give them that feeling that they had when they first heard ‘Teenage Dream,’” she said.

AP

The Kremlin said on Friday that some progress had already been made in talks about a possible peace settlement to end the war in Ukraine but that contacts were rather complicated with the United States.

"Contacts are quite complicated, because, naturally, the topic is not an easy one," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"Russia is committed to resolving this conflict, ensuring its own interests, and is open to dialogue. We continue to do this."

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he wanted to achieve a peace deal quickly, but could not be involved in the search for a settlement indefinitely "if one of the two parties makes it very difficult".

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking earlier in Paris after meeting European and Ukrainian leaders, said the sides had just days to show progress or Washington would abandon its efforts.

Asked if the United States could withdraw from the search for a peace settlement in Ukraine, Peskov said that was a question for Washington.

"We believe that some progress can already be noted," Peskov said, citing a temporary moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure, though he said Ukraine had not adhered to it.

"Therefore, certain developments have already been achieved, but, of course, there are still many complex discussions ahead."

Peskov, when asked if the energy moratorium was over, said that it had already been a month but that no orders from the president had been received to change Russia's position.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia's Security Council and a representative of Russian hawks, expressed approval for the US remarks on the X social media platform.

"American officials have said that if there is no progress on the Ukrainian case, the United States will wash its hands of it. Wisely," Medvedev wrote in English. "And the EU should do the same. Then Russia will figure it out faster."

Reuters

US President Donald Trump discussed bilateral trade, Ukraine peace talks and regional security in the Middle East in a call with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday, the White House said in a statement.

The number of people found dead after a boat accident in Congo has risen to 148, Sky News reported on Friday, citing officials.

Officials said hundreds are still missing after a motorised wooden boat caught fire and capsized on Tuesday in the Congo River, the report added.

Reuters

Nepal’s first recycling plant capable of processing green PET plastic bottles has been inaugurated in Bharatpur. The facility was launched under Project CAP (Collaborative Approach for Preventing Plastic Leakages in Rivers of Nepal), as part of broader efforts to improve plastic waste management in the country.

The project is part of the regional PLEASE (Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia) initiative, which is implemented by the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP) with support from the World Bank and UNOPS. The inauguration event was organized by CREASION, the lead implementing organization for Project CAP.

According to CREASION, nearly 20,000 tons of plastic enter Nepal’s rivers every year. The new facility aims to address this issue by enabling the recycling of green PET bottles, which are often excluded from conventional recycling systems.

The launch event was attended by several officials, including Norbu Wangchuk, Director General of SACEP; Komal Karki, Country Director of UNOPS Nepal; and Joseph Ese Akpokodje, Task Leader of the PLEASE Project and Senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank. Also present were government officials, environmental specialists, and members of the local community.

CREASION’s Founder and President Aanand Mishra, who chaired the program, said the facility is a step toward expanding Nepal’s recycling capacity and reducing plastic pollution at the source.

US air strikes on a key oil terminal on Yemen's Red Sea coast controlled by the Houthi movement have killed at least 58 people and wounded 126 others, Houthi-run, BBC reported.

The US military claimed to have bombed Ras Isa "to eliminate this source of fuel for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists and deprive them of illegal revenue."

The Houthi-led administration in northwestern Yemen stated that the terminal was a civilian facility and that the strike was a "full-fledged war crime".

It was one of the bloodiest events since President Donald Trump directed US forces to ramp up their bombing campaign last month in response to Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping and Israel tied to the Gaza conflict, according to BBC.

Several hours after the strikes on Ras Isa, the Israeli military said that it had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen.

In response to the U.S. governments upcoming port fees for Chinese-built and operated vessels, set to take effect in mid-October, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized on Friday that such measures could be detrimental.

According to Global times, he stated that imposing fees and additional tariffs on cargo handling equipment would not only elevate global shipping costs but also disrupt supply chains and exacerbate inflation in the United States, ultimately harming American consumers and businesses without reviving the domestic shipbuilding industry.

Lin encouraged the United States to follow known facts and international rules, calling for an urgent halt to these activities. He also stated that China would take the appropriate precautions to preserve its lawful rights and interests in light of the situation.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has said that anti-constitutional activities are not acceptable.

Inaugurating the Gandaki Province-level security seminar in Pokhara today, he said that anti-constitutional activities and instability in the name of former monarchists or any other name would not be forgiven in any condition.

Minister Lekhak said that everyone should be ready to defend the present Constitution obtained through long struggle and sacrifice.

Stating that seven Constitutions have been framed in a span of seven decades in Nepal, he opined that the present Constitution is the world's most advanced democratic Constitution and it is possible to solve every problem through it.

"Criticism, evaluation and various activities can be carried out remaining within the Constitution. Anarchic activities such as promoting murder and violence through anti-constitutional activities cannot be carried out. Action will be taken as per law if such activities are carried out," the Home Minister said.

Stating that protecting the Constitution is the need of the hour, he said, "It is 10 years since the current Constitution was promulgated. Efforts will be made to further improve the Constitution carrying out an assessment of this period and by making amendments based on the need through consensus with all concerned.”

The Home Minister said the government is continuously working towards solving all the problems such as the increasing drug abuse, suicide, vehicle accidents, cybercrime, and natural disasters among others which have emerged as challenges in recent years.

Meanwhile, he stressed on the need for the government bodies to make their service delivery more effective and efficient.

Home Minister Lekhak pointed out the need for the Office of the Chief District Officer, as the representatives of the federal government, to be active to make service delivery effective by coordinating among the federal, provincial and local levels, and others in the districts.