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Firefighters in 'crucial' push to encircle Belgian wildfire

Firefighters headed into a "crucial" all-night push Tuesday to encircle Belgium's largest wildfire in a century, despite rainclouds paralysing air support operations over the High Fens nature reserve.

US sanctions ICC chief Tomoko Akane of Japan

The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions against International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane of Japan as part of its campaign against the body that it accuses of being "politicized."

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Firefighters contain 'mega-fire' in southern France

A massive fire that ravaged 650 hectares (1,600 acres) and forced people to evacuate in southern France has been brought under control, the fire service said Saturday.

Death toll climbs to 11 in Italy glacier collapse

The number of people killed in an avalanche in the Italian Dolomites rose to 11 on Saturday, which was expected to be the final death toll, police said.

Japan police admit security flaws as body of assassinated ex-PM Abe arrives home

Japanese police on Saturday admitted there were "problems" with security for former prime minister Shinzo Abe, as his body arrived at his family home a day after he was assassinated on the campaign trail.

Thousands 'stone the devil' as packed hajj winds down

Thousands of Muslim pilgrims cast pebbles in the "stoning of the devil" ritual marking the start of the Eid al-Adha holiday Saturday, as a hajj pilgrimage that drew 900,000 visitors began winding down.

'In pain, distraught': Japan devastated by Abe assassination

A day after the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe, a steady stream of mourners, many in tears, arrived at the scene of his murder in western Japan to offer flowers and prayers.

16 dead in flash floods at Indian Kashmir pilgrimage site

Sixteen people were killed in Indian-administered Kashmir, with rescuers searching for dozens more missing, after flash floods swept away hundreds of tents near a popular Hindu pilgrimage site, officials said Saturday.

Muslims 'stone the devil' as almost million-strong hajj winds down

Muslim pilgrims cast pebbles in the "stoning of the devil" ritual marking the start of the Eid al-Adha holiday on Saturday, as this year's expanded hajj pilgrimage was winding down.

Madrassas revive 'Golden Age' in Morocco's Fez

In the narrow streets of Fez's Old City, Morocco's first capital, centuries-old places of learning are being revived to promote moderation in Islam, as their founders originally intended.

Impoverished Havana neighborhood reeling from protest convictions

When Wilbert Aguilar had to tell his wife that their son was sentenced to 23 years in prison for taking part in anti-government protests in Cuba, the 49-year-old day laborer's life fell apart.

FINA opens investigation into drugged and bruised Canadian swimmer

The International Swimming Federation (FINA) said Friday it will open an investigation after Canadian swimmer Mary-Sophie Harvey claimed she was drugged without her knowledge at the end of the last World Championships.

Terror specialist appointed new London police chief

The British government on Friday announced a new head for the country's biggest police force, ordering him to rebuild public trust after a spate of scandals.

900 firefighters battle 'mega-fire' in southern France

More than 900 firefighters backed by aircraft were deployed on Friday to battle a massive blaze in France's southern Gard region that burned 600 hectares (1,500 acres) overnight.

Blatter, Platini cleared in FIFA fraud trial

Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini, once the chiefs of world and European football, were cleared Friday over a suspected fraudulent payment that shook the sport and torpedoed their time at the top.

Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini acquitted in FIFA trial

Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini, once the chiefs of world and European football, were acquitted Friday over a suspected fraudulent payment that shook the sport and torpedoed their time at the top.

'Sacred duty': Inflation eats into Turkey's Muslim feast

With inflation in Turkey galloping, the sheep Gul Er buys every year for the Muslim festival of sacrifice in Istanbul looks agonisingly out of reach.

TikTok sued in US after girls die in 'Blackout Challenge'

Video-sharing sensation TikTok is being sued in California after children died while taking part in a "Blackout Challenge" that makes a sport of choking oneself until passing out.

Pilgrims scale Mount Arafat for climax of biggest Covid-era hajj

Huge crowds of Muslim pilgrims started praying on Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat early Friday, the high point of the biggest hajj pilgrimage since the pandemic forced drastic cuts in numbers for two years in a row.

Canadian woman dies in avalanche on Ecuador volcano: officials

One Canadian woman died and a fellow citizen was injured when an avalanche roared down the side of snow-capped Chimborazo volcano, Ecuador's highest peak, rescue service officials said Thursday.

Mississippi clinic at heart of US Supreme Court's abortion reversal closes

Mississippi on Thursday became the latest US state to outlaw abortion after last month's Supreme Court ruling revoking protection for the procedure, leading to 11th-hour confrontations outside a clinic in Jackson.

Watchdog to probe intensive audits of Trump foes who led FBI

The US tax authority said Thursday it had asked for an independent investigation into rare, intrusive audits of two ex-FBI heads who were prominent adversaries of former president Donald Trump.

Ex-US cop sentenced to over 20 years for George Floyd death

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of the murder of George Floyd, was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison on Thursday on federal charges.

Ex-cop sentenced to over 20 years for George Floyd death

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of the murder of George Floyd, was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison on Thursday on federal charges.

Boeing says risk 737 MAX 10 could be canceled

Boeing's CEO said the company could cancel the 737 MAX 10 if regulators don't certify the jet before new crew alerting system standards take effect in December, according to a report Thursday.

Hajj crowds move to Mina as pilgrimage pinnacle nears

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims journeyed from Saudi Arabia's Mecca to a white-tented city in Mina on Thursday as they neared the highlight of the biggest hajj ritual since the coronavirus pandemic began.

WNBA star Griner pleads guilty to drug charges in Russia

US basketball star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty Thursday to drug smuggling charges in a Russian court but denied intending to break the law in a case that has further inflamed tensions between Moscow and Washington.

One year after Haiti president assassinated, still no answers

Haiti on Thursday marked one year since president Jovenel Moise was shot dead in his private residence, with no mastermind or motive for the attack yet identified, and the investigation stalled.

Poland confirms scientist held by Iran, Austria and UK deny arrests

Iranian media reports that the Revolutionary Guards had arrested several foreign diplomats for espionage sowed confusion Thursday, after two of the countries concerned denied that their nationals had been detained.

Russia says US 'hype' not helping WNBA player Griner

Moscow said Thursday that US "hype" over women's basketball star Brittney Griner, held in Russia on drug smuggling charges, will not help her case after President Joe Biden spoke out against her detention.

Italy bridge trial starts four years after tragedy

Nearly 60 defendants went on trial in Genoa on Thursday, accused of manslaughter and undermining transport safety over the collapse of a bridge in the Italian city that killed 43 people four years ago.

Japan introduces up to one-year jail time for cyberbullying

People found guilty of cyberbullying in Japan now face up to a year in prison under rules implemented Thursday, which were toughened up after the suicide of a reality star who had been trolled online.

Muslim pilgrims stream out of Mecca for hajj high point

Hundreds of thousands of hajj pilgrims began streaming out of Mecca Thursday ahead of the highlight of the annual rites, which have attracted huge crowds despite the continuing pandemic and unforgiving heat.

Italy bridge trial to start four years after tragedy

The trial in the case of the Genoa bridge that collapsed in 2018, killing 43 people, opens Thursday in Italy, involving 59 defendants prosecuted for manslaughter and undermining transport safety.

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