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Batteries, community spirit help California fight heat wave
Dire predictions of blackouts in California during a fearsome heat wave this month never came to pass, with technology -- and a dose of community spirit -- helping the creaking grid through its most testing period ever.
Cambodia Khmer Rouge court upholds conviction in final ruling
Cambodia's UN-backed Khmer Rouge war crimes court gave its final verdict Thursday, upholding the genocide conviction and life sentence imposed on the regime's last surviving leader.
'Very high chance' Hong Kong will end year in recession
Hong Kong is set to end the year in the midst of a full-blown recession, the city's finance chief warned Thursday, as spiralling interest rates join strict Covid-19 controls in hammering the economy.
Osaka pulls out of Pan Pacific Open with stomach pain
Former tennis world number one Naomi Osaka pulled out of her home Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Thursday after complaining of abdominal pain.
Griner-less USA make ominous start to women's basketball World Cup
Breanna Stewart drilled 22 points and grabbed four rebounds as the United States launched their bid Thursday for a fourth straight women's basketball world title with an 87-72 win over Belgium.
Neville, Wilson return as Wallabies shuffle pack for All Blacks
Australia on Thursday recalled towering lock Cadeyrn Neville and hard-running number eight Harry Wilson to face New Zealand at the weekend when the Wallabies will aim to break a 36-year curse at Eden Park.
Cheap mealboxes a taste of Hong Kong's economic woes
Hong Konger Kitty Chan pivoted to takeout to help her restaurant survive the pandemic, but she has since opened a second shop as demand for cheap mealboxes surges in a city enduring economic woes.
Undermanned Germany wary of 'unpleasant' Hungary
Germany go into Friday’s Nations League clash with Hungary in Leipzig well aware of their opponents’ quality, having been held 1-1 in Budapest in the summer.
Teachers recount carnage of Myanmar school helicopter attack
Teachers at a Myanmar school hit by a military helicopter attack last week have spoken of the terrifying horror of the onslaught -- including watching a wounded child screaming in agony, begging to die.
Nuclear shift: North Korean nuke law reflects global trend
North Korea's Kim Jong Un declaring he will never give up his nukes and enshrining a "first-strike" doctrine into law are part of a worrying new escalatory dynamic in nuclear weapons policy around the world, analysts say.
With a gamer prince and oil billions, Saudi turns to eSports
Wearing headphones and anti-sweat finger sleeves, gamers from eight countries guided gun-toting avatars through a battle royale in the Saudi capital, as cheering onlookers watched the action on a big screen.
'Drink it anyway': Syria water woes peak in cholera outbreak
In a Syria hospital crowded with women and wailing children, Ahmad al-Mohammad writhed in pain beside his wife after they contracted cholera, which is resurging for the first time in years.
In US, podcasts can sometimes shape course of justice
The release this week of one of the main characters on the hit podcast "Serial" has reignited the debate over Americans' "obsession" with true crime series and their effect on the US penal system.
'Our hero is back': mud shack in Brazil tells drama of Lula's life
Squeezing through the tight spaces of three cramped rooms, Eraldo dos Santos gives a tour of a mud shack just like the one where his cousin, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, began his improbable journey to become president of Brazil.
Biden brings carrot-and-stick diplomacy to UN
US President Joe Biden took a big carrot to the Big Apple for his UN speech -- and for the Russians, an even bigger stick.
Putin's troop call-up will prolong but not win war: experts
Western experts predicted Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin's new troop mobilization would prolong the war but not change the balance on the ground, and warned against downplaying his renewed nuclear threat.
Truss at UN vows UK military aid 'until Ukraine prevails'
British Prime Minister Liz Truss vowed Wednesday before the United Nations to keep up military aid to war-ravaged Ukraine until it triumphs against Russia.
About 200 pilot whales perish on Australian beach
About 200 pilot whales have perished after being stranded on an exposed, surf-swept beach on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, Australian rescuers said Thursday.
Swiss mull banning factory farms
The Swiss will vote Sunday on whether to ban intensive livestock farming in the largely rural country, which already has some of the world's strictest animal welfare laws.
UN chief wants 'action' to address climate loss, damage payments
The United Nations chief said Wednesday it was time for "meaningful action" on the issue of compensation for damage wrought by the climate crisis, especially in developing countries.
Catholic majority set to raise unification pressure in N.Ireland
The results of the 2021 census in Northern Ireland are due on Thursday, with expectations of a Catholic majority in the UK-run province for the first time in its history.
US jury orders Meta to pay $174.5 mn for violating patents
A US jury on Wednesday ordered Meta to pay $174.5 million for violating live-streaming patents developed by a US Army veteran seeking to fix shortcomings in battlefield communications.
Siversk hunkers down as Ukraine advances towards Lugansk
"Don't worry, it's us" who are firing, said Nataliya, a shopkeeper in Siversk, implacable behind her counter as the Ukrainian artillery bombarded Russian positions about 10 kilometres away.
Whitelock to lead All Blacks against Wallabies as Cane ruled out
Sam Whitelock will captain New Zealand against Australia for this weekend's pivotal Rugby Championship clash in Auckland with Sam Cane ruled out as the All Blacks rung the changes Thursday.
IAEA, Western powers air growing worries on Ukraine nuclear plant
The UN nuclear watchdog and Western powers voiced alarm Wednesday over the safety of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia atomic power plant as Kyiv accused Russia of new shelling.
French leader sees progress between Rwanda, DR Congo
French President Emmanuel Macron met Wednesday with the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, seeing progress in easing tensions that have flared in recent months.
NASA says delayed Moon rocket passed fueling test
NASA said Wednesday it had successfully trialed the fueling process for its new rocket, after technical issues a few weeks ago halted two attempts to get the behemoth off the ground and headed towards the Moon.
Embattled Suns owner Sarver to sell NBA club
Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, banned for a year and fined $10 million by the NBA for racist and misogynist remarks and workplace bullying, said Wednesday he will sell the team.
Ukraine announces exchange of 215 prisoners of war
Ukraine on Wednesday announced the exchange of a record-high 215 imprisoned soldiers with Russia, including fighters who led the defence of Mariupol's Azovstal steelworks that became an icon of Ukrainian resistance.
Zelensky demands world punish Russia as Biden woos UN
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky demanded Wednesday that the world punish Russia in a dramatic video address to the UN General Assembly, where US President Joe Biden accused Moscow of violating basic international norms.
Pressure on Putin as reservists called up for war
Pressure ratcheted up on Vladimir Putin Wednesday as his decision to send reservists to Ukraine triggered spreading protests and hundreds of arrests at home, and Western leaders tore into the Russian leader at the United Nations.
Global Fund raises $14.25 billion to end HIV, TB and malaria
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria raised $14.25 billion Wednesday at a donor conference led by US President Joe Biden, as decades of progress against the diseases are set back by Covid.