New Russia sanctions deal Trump fresh blow

BEIJING - As the US Senate passed new sanctions against Russia on Thursday,

Singapore PM fans flame of family feud

SINGAPORE - Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said there are "deeply troubling circumstances" over how the will of his father and the founding leader of modern Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, was drawn up, in the latest salvo in a family feud that has shaken the city state this week.

IS kingpin possibly killed in Russia strike

MOSCOW - The Russian army on Friday said it hit Islamic State leaders in an airstrike in Syria last month and was seeking to verify whether IS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi had been killed.

Erdogan furious over US warrants for aides

WASHINGTON - US authorities on Thursday announced arrest warrants had been issued for 12 members of Turkish President Recep Erdogan's security detail for assaulting protesters in Washington last month, sparking a furious response from the Turkish leader.

IN BRIEF (Page 8)

Blaze highlights social divide

LONDON - Within a short walk from the social-housing block in west London where 17 people - and likely many more - died in a devastating fire are some of Britain's wealthiest streets, lined with elegant, multimillion-dollar townhouses.

S.Koreans cheered up by their friendly first lady

SEOUL - She shops for fish for her family and is not afraid to go out in public in her slippers without a fancy hairdo, but one thing sets "Happy Mrs Jung-sook" apart from other South Korean housewives.

Law forced through in spite of protests

TOKYO - Controversial legislation to criminalize the planning of serious crimes was enacted by Japan's parliament on Thursday despite vociferous calls from opposition parties and the public.

Chinese TV sparks love of language in Vietnam's youth

HANOI - Wearing pajamas and lying on her bed at her home in Vietnam's capital Hanoi, 19-year-old Nguyen Nhu Van wasn't planning to sleep anytime soon on Wednesday, despite it being midnight.

Yoga with goats craze takes off in US

LOS ANGELES - Adonna Ebrahimi is stretched out on her yoga mat, struggling to maintain a cobra pose - and her composure - as a couple of baby goats do a balancing act on her back.

Top conductor creates UN of orchestras

NEW YORK - In his eight years leading the New York Philharmonic, Alan Gilbert has witnessed the power of music to connect cultures - and watched as political strife consumes much of the world.

India launches effort to cut diarrhea deaths

NEW DELHI - India's Health Ministry has launched a nationwide campaign to reduce child deaths due to diarrhea, officials said on Thursday.