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Firefighters race to protect California town threatened by wildfire
Rain and cooler conditions brought some relief on Tuesday to hundreds of firefighters battling a wildfire in northern California that has killed two people and threatens the 8,000-strong town of Yreka.
Scientists call for more research into 'climate endgame'
The world must prepare for a "climate endgame" to better understand and plan for the potentially catastrophic impacts of global heating that governments have yet to consider, scientists warned Tuesday.
Natural disaster losses hit $72 bn in first half 2022: Swiss Re
Total economic losses caused by natural disasters hit an estimated $72 billion in the first half of 2022, fuelled by storms and floods, Swiss reinsurance giant Swiss Re estimated Tuesday.
Key Hong Kong court ruling to lift lid on national security cases
A Hong Kong court delivered a landmark ruling on Tuesday that will help lift the lid on secrecy-shrouded pre-trial hearings held under a national security law.
US kills Al-Qaeda chief in Kabul drone strike
President Joe Biden announced Monday that the United States had killed Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, one of the world's most wanted terrorists and a mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks, in a drone strike in Kabul.
Biden expected to announce death of Al-Qaeda chief al-Zawahiri
President Joe Biden was expected to announce Monday that the United States has killed Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, one of the world's most wanted terrorists and suspected mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Cristina Kirchner oversaw 'corruption matrix' as Argentina president: prosecutor
Argentine Vice President Cristina Kirchner oversaw an "extraordinary corruption matrix" when she was head of state from 2007 to 2015, the prosecution argued Monday in her corruption trial.
Cannabis investment platform hit with Spain lawsuit
Nearly 1,200 investors have filed a class-action lawsuit in Spain against a medicinal cannabis investment platform operating worldwide, accusing it of fraud, embezzlement and money laundering, their lawyers said Monday.
Kentucky flood death toll hits 28 with more bodies expected
Kentucky's governor predicted bodies will continue to be found "for weeks" as the death toll from devastating flooding rose Sunday to 28 and rescuers embarked on a long and grueling effort to locate victims.
Contraband McMuffins cost traveller to Australia US$2,000
A traveller arriving in Australia from Indonesia has been hit with an almost US$2,000 fine after border guards detected two McMuffins and a ham croissant secretly squirrelled away in their backpack.
Beirut's blast-damaged grain silos partially collapse
Parts of Beirut's grain silos collapsed on Sunday, just days before the second anniversary of a catastrophic explosion at the Lebanese capital's port that ravaged the stores and swathes of the city.
Portugal, France battle big forest fires as mercury soars
Portugal and France on Sunday battled major forest fires as temperatures rose sharply this weekend.
Rescuers face renewed rain as Kentucky flood death toll hits 26
Rescuers in Kentucky are taking the search effort door-to-door in worsening weather conditions as they brace for a long and grueling effort to locate victims of flooding that devastated the state's east, its governor said Sunday.
Climbing Mont Blanc a tall order as Europe swelters
Rocks the size of fridges have been tumbling from Mont Blanc as summer temperatures soar, scaring away many hikers from Western Europe's highest mountain.
Cyprus tourism rebounds despite sanctions-hit Russia plunge
Beside sparkling Mediterranean waters at the Cypriot resort town of Ayia Napa, the bars are bouncing with foam dance parties as tourist numbers rebound following two tough years of pandemic.
Saudi women DJs go from hobbyists to headliners
Standing behind her control tower with headphones around her neck, Saudi DJ Leen Naif segues smoothly between pop hits and club tracks for a crowd of business school graduates noshing on sushi.
Mountain melt shutters classic Alpine routes
Little snow cover and glaciers melting at an alarming rate amid Europe's sweltering heatwaves have put some of the most classic Alpine hiking routes off-limits.
Guatemalan corruption at one of 'worst' levels, says ombudsman
Corruption in Guatemala is at unprecedented levels under an "authoritarian" government that punishes prosecutors and judges investigating organized crime, the country's ombudsman told AFP in an interview.
Death toll from week-long Iran flooding tops 80
At least 80 people have been killed and 30 others are missing in floods that have wreaked havoc across Iran for more than a week, state media reported Saturday.
Kentucky flooding death toll rises to 25
Devastating flooding in Kentucky killed 25 people and the toll is expected to rise, the southern US state's governor said Saturday as rescuers continued their search for survivors.
Pope calls Canada Indigenous abuse 'genocide', warns he must slow down
Pope Francis said Saturday the decades-long abuse of Indigenous schoolchildren across Canada amounted to "genocide", as he warned upon his return to Rome that he needed to slow down his travel pace -- or resign.
Australian PM outlines draft Indigenous recognition vote
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday outlined a draft referendum question in a bid to change the constitution to set up a representative Indigenous body in parliament.
'Incredible' icy dip between two continents in Iceland
In between North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, Iceland's Silfra fissure is one of the world's most famous dive sites, popular with tourists who venture into its icy waters.
Elon Musk fires back at Twitter in court battle
Elon Musk on Friday filed claims against Twitter as he fights back against the tech firm's lawsuit demanding he be held to his $44 billion buyout deal.
US sentences Canadian who narrated IS videos to life in prison
A Canadian jihadist said to be a key player in the Islamic State group's propaganda production and who narrated multiple violent videos was sentenced Friday to life in prison, the US Department of Justice said.
French fireman accused of being serial fire starter
French authorities on Friday held a fireman from the south of France accused of being behind a series of wildfires in the region which he says he started in a quest for adrenaline.
'Wagatha Christie': Rooney triumphs as Vardy loses libel trial
A UK judge Friday effectively branded England footballer's wife Rebekah Vardy a liar, rejecting her "Wagatha Christie" libel suit against Coleen Rooney following a trial that exposed celebrity skullduggery in sometimes graphic detail.
Kentucky flood toll at least 15, expected to double: governor
Flash flooding caused by torrential rains has killed at least 15 people in eastern Kentucky and the death toll is expected to double, the US state's governor said Friday.
Death toll from Philippine quake rises to 10
The death toll from a major earthquake in the northern Philippines rose to 10 Friday after another four bodies were found in rubble, authorities said, as aftershocks continued to rock the mountainous region.
Shakira faces call in Spain for eight-year prison term
Spanish prosecutors said Friday they would seek a prison sentence of more than eight years against global music superstar Shakira, after she rejected a plea deal on accusations of tax evasion.
Hong Kong activists face years in jail for subversion
Four Hong Kong activists on Friday pleaded guilty to subversion, a violation that could see them jailed for years under the city's Beijing-imposed national security law.
Two pilots killed as Soviet-era fighter jet crashes in India
Two pilots have been killed in India after a Soviet-era fighter jet crashed during a training sortie, the air force said, heightening safety concerns after a string of incidents involving the aircraft.